Intro
Key Stage 3
GCSE
A Level
Further Maths
Staff
Careers
Extracurricular Activities
Pupils have the opportunity to participate in the annual Junior, Intermediate and Senior national Mathematics Challenges, with many pupils obtaining gold, silver and bronze certificates.
In June, the Mathematics Department was involved in the P6 Education Day at Wellington College. This involved introducing the pupils to some new areas of Mathematics and encouraging them to use problem solving and logic skills. Pupils were divided into groups and asked to investigate and solve a series of puzzles and complete various tasks.
Pupils seemed to enjoy the challenge and it was a valuable team-building activity, as quickly they had to establish and assign various roles within their own team to compete against the other groups. This also serves as an effective introduction to secondary Mathematics, as it is something we encourage during the thinking skills classes that are incorporated into the Year 8 schemes of work.
Mr I Cantley, Head of Mathematics.
In Years 8 to 10 all pupils follow courses that conform to, but are not bound by, the Northern Ireland curriculum for Key Stage 3 Mathematics. The topics studied in each year of Key Stage 3 are detailed below
Year 8
Logic
Place Value
Arithmetic with Decimals
Data Collection and Presentation
Angles
Number Patterns and Sequences
Perimeter, Area and Volume
Fractions
Time and Timetables
Negative Numbers
Algebra and Linear Equations
Decimals, Fractions and Percentages
Averages and Range
Scale Drawing
Probability
Year 9
Mathematical Diagrams
Factors and Multiples
Pythagoras' Theorem
Rounding and Estimating
Data Analysis
Nets and Surface Area
Ratio and Proportion
Use of Brackets in Algebra
Fractions and Percentages
Probability
Angles, Bearings and Maps
Formulae
Straight Line Graphs
Polygons
Circles and Cylinders
Units of Measure
Speed, Distance and Time
Questionnaires and Analysis
Year 10
Basics Operations
Indices and Standard Form
Fractions and Percentages
Linear Graphs and Equations
Geometric Transformations
Statistical Diagrams and Calculations
Area, Perimeter and Volume
Algebraic Manipulation
Inequalities
Limits of Accuracy
Trigonometry
Examining Board - OCR
All pupils are prepared for Higher Tier of the OCR Linear GCSE course in Mathematics (Option A).
The areas of Mathematics studied are:
The course is assessed by two 2 hour written examinations at the end of Year 12. There is no coursework requirement.
Additional Mathematics
Examining Board - CCEA
Additional Mathematics extends the content of GCSE Mathematics and the course is divided into 3 sections:
- Pure Mathematics (Algebra, Trigonometry and Calculus)
Additional Mathematics is particularly useful to those intending to study Mathematics or Physics at Advanced Level.
The course is assessed by two 2 hour written examinations at the end of Year 12 and there is no coursework requirement.
Examining Board - CCEA
In following a course in Mathematics at GCE Advanced Level, students have opportunities to
- Consolidate and extend the mathematical knowledge, skills and understanding developed in Key Stage 4
- Build a suitable foundation for the study of Mathematics and other subjects in further and higher education
- Prepare themselves for a range of interesting careers.
The course is equally suited to students concentrating on Sciences or those wishing to bridge the Science/Humanities divide.
At AS Level, the following modules are studied:
Module C1: AS Core Mathematics 1 (non Calculator Examination)
Module C2: AS Core Mathematics 2
Module M1: Mechanics 1
At A2 Level, the following three modules are studied:
Module C3: A2 Core Mathematics 3
Module C4: A2 Core Mathematics 4
Module S1: Statistics 1
All modules are assessed by a 1hr 30 minute examination and there is no coursework.
Further Mathematics
Examining Board - CCEA
Further Mathematics extends the content of ‘A' level Mathematics and helps to promote the development of students as more independent learners with enhanced skills of reasoning and analysis.
It is particularly useful to those intending to study Mathematics, Engineering or any of the physical sciences at tertiary level.
The course is structured so that the full GCE ‘A' level in Mathematics is completed in Year 13 before embarking on the study of Further Mathematics in Year 14.
The modules studied by those taking a full ‘A' Level in Further Mathematics are:
Module F1 Further Pure Mathematics 1
Module F2 Further Pure Mathematics 2
Module F3 Further Pure Mathematics 3
Module M2 Mechanics 2
Module M3 Mechanics 3
Module M4 Mechanics 4
An ‘AS' Level in Further Mathematics may be obtained by studying the following modules in Year 14:
Module F1 Further Pure Mathematics 1
Module F2 Further Pure Mathematics 2
Module M2 Mechanics 2
All modules are assessed by a 1hr 30 minute examination and there is no coursework.
Mr I Cantley (HoD)
Mrs L Fiddis
Mrs C Clarke
Mrs J Moore
Mr G O'Neill
Mrs L Cairnduff
Careers in Mathematics
Towards the end of Key Stage 3 pupils choose whether or not to study GCSE Additional Mathematics, towards the end of Key Stage 4 ‘AS’ Level Mathematics / Further Mathematics, and at the beginning of Year 14, which career and/or subjects they wish to pursue at tertiary level. As pupils and their parents make these important choices, it is important they have all the information they need to enable them to make sensible decisions. The school provides such information but classroom teachers and the HOD try to ensure that pupils fully understand the implications of these decisions for their future careers. Also all pupils in Years 8 to 12 need to understand the necessity of having a GCSE Mathematics qualification. We also aim to have classroom displays that inform pupils about careers that use Mathematics at different levels.
Further infromation on mathematics-related careers may be obtained by clicking on these links:
