Mathematics & Double Mathematics
Under School (Years 9-11)
Pupils are taught in divisions for mathematics throughout the Under School. There are six divisions in the Fourths and Removes and seven Divisions in the Fifths. Initially the Divisions are formed on the basis of Common Entrance, Scholarship papers or our own entrance examinations ensuring that all pupils are suitably stretched in their mathematics lessons. The Divisions are reviewed at Christmas and at the end of the academic year and it is common for pupils to move between divisions during their time in the Under School.
Our aim in teaching mathematics is to develop understanding of the subject rather than just teaching a sequence of techniques. We try to ensure that pupils have an excellent grounding in the subject which allows them to continue to study the subject successfully in the Sixth Form (Specialists) and beyond. We teach the appropriate use of calculators throughout the Under School basing our teaching on Casio models.
All pupils take Edexcel IGCSE Higher level Mathematics at the end of the Fifths. The top division also takes OCR Additional Mathematics. There in no coursework. We encourage pupils in the higher divisions to take part in both the UK Intermediate and Senior Maths Challenges and many pupils achieve considerable success in this.
There are three courses offered in the department all of which take GCSE/IGCSE as their starting point. It is the policy of the Department to teach in groups divisioned by ability wherever possible. None of these courses involves coursework.
Sixth Form (Specialists)
Cambridge Pre-U
There are three courses offered in the department all of which take GCSE/IGCSE as their starting point. These courses are all described below. In all cases it is the policy of the Department to teach in groups divisioned by ability wherever possible. None of these courses involves coursework.
The courses aim to
- Enable students to develop a broad range of mathematical skills and appreciate their application in a wide range of contexts
- Enable students to develop an understanding of how different branches of mathematics are connected
- Enable students to recognise how a situation may be represented mathematically and understand how mathematical models may be refined
- Encourage students to use mathematics as an effective means of communication through the correct use of language and notation.
Mathematics (Single Mathematics)
This is a two year course covering the following topics: Algebra, Geometry, Calculus, Mechanics, Statistics and Probability. The course will lead to the Cambridge Pre-U qualification Mathematics (9794)
Mathematics and Further Mathematics (Double Mathematics)
This is a two year course, often called Double Mathematics, leading to two Cambridge Pre-U qualifications in Mathematics (9794) and Further Mathematics (9795). This course has twice the amount of teaching time as Single Mathematics. It is particularly suitable for students who are interested in Mathematics, Computing, Physics, Engineering or Economics and who are considering applying to a top university for one of these subjects. The course covers the same topics as the single mathematics course but does so in considerably more depth and the skills that are so developed are highly valued by top universities.
Combinations with other subjects
Mathematics may be combined successfully with all other subjects.
University courses and careers
Universities and employers value the academic training that Mathematics provides and areas such as Law or Computing consider the logical training provided by Mathematics as extremely helpful. Mathematics is essential for most Science, Engineering and Economics courses. Nowadays even the best universities have relatively few pupils with a good mathematical background applying to them and such pupils (particularly Double Mathematicians) tend to receive many attractive offers from universities and, later on, from employers.
MATHEMATICS – SHORT COURSE
Edexcel AS level
This course will develop the ideas of Algebra, Geometry, Calculus, Statistics and Probability.
The course is suitable for pupils who want to carry on with some Mathematics as a Specialist but do not envisage studying Mathematics, Computer Science or Economics at university. Having AS level Mathematics will be an advantage for Science, Engineering, Geography, Business, Architecture and a variety of other university courses for applicants who do not wish to study mathematics as a full course subject. This course is examined after one year.
M.K. Elston