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Mathematics
 Intro 
 Key Stage 3 
 GCSE 
 A Level 
 Further Maths 
 Staff 
 Careers 

Introduction

The Mathematics department aims to provide Wellington students with a sound mathematical education, in which high academic standards are emphasised, that enables them to achieve their full potential. Furthermore, we aspire to prepare students for the outside world so that they can use Mathematics confidently in real life situations, while providing a positive classroom atmosphere that is conducive to effective learning. Within this context, our specific objectives are:

1. To provide relevant courses of study subject to, but not bound by, the Northern Ireland Curriculum;

2. To foster a love for Mathematics as a subject in its own right;

3. To encourage pupils, where appropriate, to extend their studies to ‘A’ Level or Further Mathematics;

4. To increase numeracy awareness so that students may use Mathematics in other disciplines;

5. To use ICT, where appropriate, to enrich pupils’ learning experiences;

6. To monitor progress by regular assessment;

7. To encourage good classroom practice in teaching methods and to exercise positive discipline in the classroom;

8. To encourage staff to keep abreast of current developments and to participate in In-Service Training (INSET).

 

Courses offered

All students are prepared for Key Stage 3 and higher tier GCSE Mathematics. They also have the option of studying:

  • GCSE Further Mathematics;
  • GCE ‘A’ Level Mathematics;
  • GCE ‘A’ Level Further Mathematics.

 

Examination Results

The Mathematics department has achieved consistently excellent results in GCSE and ‘A’ Level examinations in recent years. For example, in 2011 Wellington students obtained ‘A’ Level Mathematics and Further Mathematics results which were significantly above N. Ireland grammar school averages at every grade level:

Grade Number Cumulative % N.Ireland Average % (2011)
A* 7 33.3 19.7
A 8 71.4 59.5
B 5 95.2 82.3
C 1 100 93.1

'A' Level Mathematics 2011

Grade Number Cumulative % N.Ireland Average % (2011)
A* 3 75.0 50.4
A 1 100 69.8

'A' Level Further Mathematics 2011

 

Wellington student Dale Walmsley obtained first place in N. Ireland in the 2010 CCEA GCSE Additional Mathematics examination and first place in N. Ireland in the 2011 CCEA ‘A’ Level Mathematics examination.

Mr Cantley and Dale

Mr I Cantley (Head of Maths) and Dale Walmsley at the CCEA awards ceremony for top candidates

Facilities and Resources

The department has 5 dedicated Mathematics classrooms and also access to the school’s extensive ICT facilities and interactive whiteboards.

A wide range of textbooks are available to support Mathematics courses at all levels. In addition, the department has a large range of specialist ICT resources to support the delivery of its courses, e.g., Mathematics Enhancement Programme and MyMaths.

Competitions

Pupils have the opportunity to participate in national Mathematics competitions, e.g., we enter pupils for the UK Mathematical Challenges at junior, intermediate and senior levels.