Mathematics

Mathematics is a popular subject at The Hayesbrook School. As a department we aim to develop enthusiasm, confidence and enjoyment for all our students. Wherever possible we relate Mathematics to real life situations and encourage students to do the same. The progress of every student is valued and careful assessment and monitoring means that students are encouraged and shown how to progress.

Learning Support Assistants work alongside teachers in class, supporting learning and promoting understanding to allow all students to access the curriculum. In some cases students are supported on a one to one or small group basis and in all cases we endeavour to take account of different learning styles.

Students are taught in sets specific to Mathematics from year 7 which allows specific and targeted teaching to take place. Provision for students of all ability is built in so that every student is suitably stretched and supported. A range of teaching styles are used to engage students, including investigative work and students are always encouraged to think for themselves. In addition to class work students are given opportunities to apply their mathematical skills during our enterprise days. There is regular student assessment and a formal assessment at the end of each year. A club for gifted and talented students runs weekly and gives an opportunity to extend and enrich the work undertaken in class.

Our Key Stage 3 results this year were our best yet with 82% of our boys achieving a level 5 or higher and 64% achieving a six or higher.

Students at Key Stage 4 study the Edexcel GCSE syllabus which is split into a foundation tier (up to grade C) and higher tier (up to A*).

The course is modular with exams throughout the course...

• Year10 March-algebra, shape and number 1
• Year10 June-data handling
• Year11 June-algebra, shape and number 2

The progress of students is closely monitored and support is offered in revision classes throughout the year and during the Easter Break.

In the past two years over 70% of our students have achieved a grade C or better at G.C.S.E.

Students are encouraged to look beyond the syllabus and enterprise days give an opportunity for students to apply their learning in a different setting. Some students are entered early for their exams giving them an opportunity to develop mathematical skills for life.

Students can choose A level mathematics in the sixth form. It is a challenging course which requires a great deal of motivation to be successful. There are great rewards for those students who are successful at mathematics A level as it can be essential for a number of future careers such as engineering and finance and is always looked kindly upon by employers. The course builds on learning from the higher G.C.S.E. course and is suitable for students who have achieved at least a strong B grade at G.C.S.E.

The course is split into six modules; four core (pure maths) modules and two applied modules which are either mechanics or statistics modules. These modules are split evenly between years 12 and 13.