Curriculum

With seven  general-purpose classrooms, two fully-equipped ICT rooms and ten dedicated full-time staff, the Mathematics department is well-equipped to offer courses in Key Stage 3, GCSE Mathematics, Vocational, AS and A Level Mathematics.

Key Stage 3

Students follow the Key Stage 3 Programme of Study experiencing Mathematics in the contexts of Processes, Number, Algebra, Shape and Space and Data Handling.  Throughout the Key Stage students are assessed and given opportunities to demonstrate their abilities in each of these areas.  At the end of year 10, pupils sit an external exam.

Pupils sit two written papers and a mental maths paper. The papers they sit determine the level they can achieve:

Papers	Level
1	3
1 & 2	3   4   5
2 & 3	4   5   6
3 & 4	5   6   7
4 & 5	6   7   8

GCSE

At GCSE students sit examinations under the auspices of the AQA examinations board. At present, this involves 3 modules – modules 1, 3 and 5.  Each module may be taken at, either, Foundation or Higher level.

Modules are, usually, taken, as follows:

Module 3                  March          (of year 11)

Module 1                  June                   (of year 11)

Module 5                  May/June          (of year 12)

Module	Percentage
1	18 %	Data handling
3	27 %	Number
5	55%	Algebra, Shape, Space & Measure

A new GCSE is being introduced in September 2010, for our year incoming year 11 students.

Unit Number	Content	Marks	Percentage	UMS
Unit 1	Number & Statistics (Calc)	54	26.7%	80
Unit 2	Number & Algebra (Non-Calc)	66	33.3%	100
Unit 3	Geometry & Algebra (Calc)	80	40%	120

How are papers constructed?

	Number	Algebra	Geometry	Statistics	Total	Time
Unit 1	14			40	54	1 hour
Unit 2 Foundation	44	22			66	1 hour 15 mins
Unit 2 Higher	25	41			66	1 hour 15 mins
Unit 3 Foundation	15	15	50		80	1 hour 30 mins
Unit 3 Higher	7	25	48		80	1 hour 30 mins

Notes:

40% must be done on completion, therefore Unit 3 must be done at the end, however Unit 3 is not a Terminal paper and therefore the tier of entry of Unit 3 will not determine final grade.

For further information, including syllabus and past papers/marking schemes visit the AQA website HERE

A Level

‘A’ level Mathematics involves 6 units.  The first 3 units may be taken as an ‘AS’ level.

In year 13 students will study modules

Core 1, Core 2 and Mechanics 1/Statistics 1

In year 14 students will study modules

Core 3, Core 4 and Statistics 1/Mechanics 1

Key skills

This course provides opportunities for developing and generating evidence of the following Key Skills:

• Communications
• Application of number
• Working with others
• Improving your own learning
• Problem solving

Students studying Mathematics you will be expected to:

• Use mathematical skills and knowledge to solve problems
• Solve quite complicated problems by using mathematical arguments and logic.  Understand and demonstrate what is meant by proof
• Simplify real-life situations so that you can use mathematics to show what is happening and what might happen in different circumstances
• Use the mathematics that you learn to solve problems that are given to you in real-life context
• Use calculator technology and other resources effectively and appropriately

Examinations

Examinations take place in January and May/June.

For further information, including syllabus and past papers/marking schemes visit the Edexcel website HERE

Department Staff

Mr M McKey HOD

Mr E Hollywood

Miss U McLaughlin

Miss M Keenan

Mrs B McArdle

Miss A Kearney

Mrs L Hollywood

Mrs M Laverty

Mrs E Cahill

Mr M Canavan