Richmond School
School Departments | Maths
Introduction
The maths department is delighted to be part of the Maths and Science Specialism awarded to Richmond School. There are many innovations and plans for the future arising from this. Further details will soon be available in a new "Specialisms" section on our website.
KS3
Students at KS3 follow the National Curriculum in Mathematics. The main elements of this are numeracy, algebra, geometry and statistics. Naturally, a sound understanding of these elements will greatly help a student in many other subject areas, as well as providing a sound platform for the study of mathematics at KS4.
In Year 7, after the induction phase, students are taught in sets based on ability in maths in half-year groups.
In years 8 and 9, maths is setted 1-9, which helps students to progress at the rate most suitable to them.
This sometimes causes confusion for pupils or parents as, for example, a student in set 2 in Year 7 could move into set 3 or 4 in Year 8. This is not a ‘demotion’ but merely a result of merging the two halves of Year 7 into Year 8.
Setting is reviewed each half term and students can move to a more appropriate group as necessary. The department liaises with the Learning Support Department so that extra teaching support can be deployed where there is a need.
Our results at KS3 SATs are outstandingly good, well above the National and County averages. This is due to talented and committed teaching, hard work from the students, and full support from the Head and Management Team, who recognise the importance of the subject.
More able mathematicians are stretched through differentiated resources and entry into the National Junior Maths Challenge.
KS4
Studying Mathematics will help you to present information in many ways. You will learn to manipulate numbers and formulae, and to use tables and charts, graphs and geometric drawings.
Studying Mathematics will also help you to describe patterns and relationships, to solve problems, analyse information and to predict the outcomes of events. In analysing and solving a wide range of problems you will develop your ability to think logically and precisely.
The GCSE course in Mathematics aims to provide the mathematical knowledge, skills and understanding you need in everyday life and in other subject areas, as well as providing a foundation for further study after your GCSEs.
There are two different Mathematics courses: Higher and Foundation. The GCSE grades that can be obtained from each course are as follows:
Higher A* - D
Foundation C – G
Maths sets 1 to 6 will do the Higher course, sets 7 to 10 will do Foundation. Remember that you may change set at the end of Year 9.
The GCSE Mathematics exam consists of written papers, half of which must be done without a calculator. From 2008, we have been chosen as a pilot school to allow students access to Additional Maths GCSE and Functional Maths as appropriate.
KS5
Mathematics
In Year 12 students study mainly pure mathematics plus a little Mechanics or some Probability and Statistics. In Year 13, half the lessons are devoted to the further development of Pure Maths, whilst, in the other half, students are able to choose between specialising in Statistics or in Mechanics.
A level Mathematics is more abstract than at GCSE and demands the ability to work algebraically. It is a course that requires hard work and application, but it is also very rewarding and most enjoyable. The “applied” aspects of the subject are of direct relevance in industry and commerce. Students following A level Science courses – particularly the physical sciences – find A level Mathematics a great help. It is also, however, an important component in many subject combinations, e.g. Arts, Languages or Geography.
Students studying the Higher GCSE tier are most suited. A level Mathematics opens many doors into Higher Education and is a sound basis for courses involving economics, business studies and management as well as for more traditional scientific, technological or medical disciplines.
Further Mathematics
This course extends knowledge of A level Mathematics ideas and techniques in Pure Mathematics, Statistics and Mechanics. It is a course for very able students who know they wish to specialise in Mathematics. It provides an ideal foundation for degree courses in Mathematics, Physics and Engineering, although Further Mathematics students are certainly not restricted to these areas. Recently, students have gone on to read Law, Languages, Computing, Physics, Medicine, Management and Mathematics.
Those who study Mathematics or Mathematics with another subject are very highly regarded by prospective employers and can expect extremely rewarding careers.
Contact Information
All staff can be contacted by 'phone on (01748) 850111 or email admin@richmondschool.net:
Mr I Snape - Head of Maths
Ms L Richardson
Mrs A Bartram
Mr F Dalgleish
Mr A Gedye
Ms S Johnson
Miss A Kershaw
Mr F MacLeod
Ms F Saunders
Mr J Wylde
Mr D Yates