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Mathematics

Introduction to Department: 

The aim of the Mathematics Department is the development of students who possess a high level of competence in mathematics and an enjoyment of the subject. A variety of courses is offered so that differing paces of learning and varying aspirations can be accommodated. It is intended that all students leave the school with confidence in their mathematical abilities and with excellent problem-solving skills that can be applied across a wide range of subjects. 

A rich set of opportunities is also provided for enthusiasts to pursue mathematics to the highest level. A strong tradition is maintained of students progressing to mathematics-related subjects at Oxford, Cambridge and other prestigious universities, and enthusiastic participation in problem solving and extra-curricular activities is actively encouraged. 

At Key Stage 4, the AQA GCSE Mathematics course is studied. Through this course a strong foundation for further study is established, and high levels of attainment are consistently achieved, with over 80% of students gaining grades 7–9. 

In the Sixth Form, Mathematics is the most popular A level subject, with over 130 students studying the course in each year group. Excellent results are achieved, with more than 60% of students attaining A or A* grades and over 80% achieving grades A*–B. 

Across all key stages, online platforms and digital resources are used to support interactive lessons, the setting of online homework, and access to supplementary teaching and practice opportunities. All students are provided with a login for Dr Frost Mathematics, and students in Years 7–11 are also given access to MathsPad.  

Results & Achievements:  

A very strong record of success is maintained by the department across GCSE and A-Level.  

GCSE: Excellent outcomes are consistently achieved, with over 80% of students in recent years attaining grades 7–9. 

A-Level: Over 80% of students consistently achieving grades A* to B. Progression to degree courses is also strong, with large numbers of students going on to study pure mathematics, economics, and a wide range of engineering courses, all of which require A Level Mathematics. 

Extra and Super-curricular: 

The department continued to achieve success in national maths competitions run by the UK Mathematics Trust (UKMT). In the most recent year: 

  • All Year 7 and Year 8 students were able to sit the Junior Maths Challenge. Awards: 49 Gold awards, 92 Silver awards, 91 Bronze awards 
  • Junior Kangaroo (follow-on round). 22 students qualified and participated resulting in 4 Gold certificates, 7 Silver certificates, 7 Bronze certificates, 4 Qualification certificates. 
  • Intermediate Maths Challenge (February 2025) – Years 10–11. Awards: 35 Gold certificates, 50 Silver certificates, 30 Bronze certificates 
  • Intermediate Kangaroo (follow-on round). Awards achieved at Gold, Silver, and Bronze levels by students in Years 10–11. 
  • Maths Olympiad for Girls (September 2024), four Sixth Form students entered and all achieved Merit awards. 
  • Senior Maths Challenge (November 2024) – Years 12–13. Awards: 10 Gold certificates, 13 Silver certificates, 11 Bronze certificates 
  • Senior Maths Kangaroo (follow-on round): Merit awards achieved by students in Years 12 and 13. 

Recommended reading list:  

  • The Number Mysteries — Marcus du Sautoy (KS3) 
  • The Art of Problem Solving, Vol. 1: The Basics — Sandor Lehoczky & Richard Rusczyk (advanced enrichment) (KS3) 
  • The Joy of x: A Guided Tour of Math from One to Infinity — Steven Strogatz (KS4) 
  • Maths with Bad Drawings — Ben Orlin (KS4) 
  • GCSE Mathematics Revision guide – CGP GCSE Maths AQA Revision Guide (KS4) 
  • What Is Mathematics? — Richard Courant & Herbert Robbins (KS5) 
  • The Art of Problem Solving: And Beyond: 2— Sandor Lehoczky & Richard Rusczyk (KS5) 
  • Journey Through Genius — William Dunham (KS5) 

Learning by Key Stage  

KS3 

Many opportunities for the development of mathematical reasoning and problem-solving skills are integrated into teaching so that fluency in mathematics can be achieved. 

In Years 7 and 8, the range of mental and written calculation skills is extended across the areas of Number, Algebra, Shape and Space, and Data Handling, with a strong emphasis placed on the clear presentation of all written solutions. 

The development of problem-solving skills is regarded as essential for success, and exposure to multi-step worded problems is provided from Year 7 onwards. These are often approached through paired or group work so that students’ oracy skills can also be developed. 

Appropriate challenge is provided for fast-working students, with a number of GCSE topics introduced in Year 8. At the same time, an emphasis is maintained on rigorous, clear and precise answers, with the required method shown, rather than on speed alone. 

At Key Stage 3, the five mathematics sets correspond to the five tutor groups and are therefore organised as mixed-ability classes. All sets are assessed termly and through an end-of-year examination. The results of the Year 8 assessments and examination are used to determine the setting arrangements for Year 9 mathematics. 

KS4  

In Year 9, teaching of the 9–1 GCSE syllabus is begun. As the course contains a substantial body of content, it is taught over three years in order to provide greater opportunity for depth of understanding and the development of problem-solving skills. 

All students are taught by specialist staff who deliver the AQA 9–1 GCSE Mathematics specification. 

The GCSE course is assessed terminally through three 1.5-hour examination papers: two calculator papers and one non-calculator paper, each contributing one third of the final mark. All students are entered for the Higher tier. 

Within the linear GCSE course, significant emphasis is placed on problem solving and the application of mathematics in context, helping to bridge the transition for those who go on to study A Level Mathematics.  

In Year 9 there are five teaching sets: 9M1A and 9M1B (two parallel upper sets), and 9M2A, 9M2B and 9M2C (three parallel middle sets). These sets are formed by ability on the basis of students’ performance during Year 8, although all students study the same material and sit the same assessments. 

Students are reset at the start of Year 10 into sets 10M1A and 10M1B (two parallel upper sets) and 10M2A, 10M2B and 10M2C (three parallel middle sets), in which they remain for the remainder of the GCSE course. These groupings are determined using Year 9 assessment and end-of-year examination data, and all sets cover the full GCSE Mathematics specification. 

The most able 64 students in the two Set 1 groups in Years 10 and 11 are also entered for the AQA Level 2 Certificate in Further Mathematics, which is equivalent in size to an additional GCSE. The additional topics required for this qualification are taught in a fully integrated way during the students’ weekly mathematics lessons. The course is assessed through two examinations: a 1.5-hour non-calculator paper and a 2-hour calculator paper. 

KS5 

At BWS, Mathematics is the most popular A level subject choice, with over 65% of students selecting it as one of their options, these students are divided into 7–8 mixed-ability sets of 15–20 students. In preparation for the A Level Mathematics course, completion of a set of transition worksheets is recommended towards the end of the summer holiday. 

For both A Level Mathematics and Further Mathematics, the Edexcel specification is followed, as it has the largest national cohort and provides the most suitable option structure for Further Mathematics. The content of the 2017 linear A Level Mathematics course is fully prescribed, with no optional content. Students are taught by two specialist mathematics teachers and are allocated two one-hour lessons per week with each teacher. One teacher is responsible for half of the Pure content together with Mechanics, while the other teaches Statistics along with the remaining Pure content. 

For A-Level Mathematics, the following textbooks are required, both of which are published by Pearson: 

  1. Edexcel AS and A Level Mathematics Pure Mathematics Year 1/AS Textbook 
    The Pure component of the Year 12 course is covered by this text. 

  1. Edexcel AS and A Level Mathematics Statistics and Mechanics Year 1/AS Textbook 
    The Applied component of the Year 12 course, including Statistics and Mechanics, is covered by this text. 

Students are given the opportunity to purchase these books, together with a calculator, through the school at a discounted rate at the start of term.

Staff

Head of Department: Mrs J Barrett jb@bishopwordsworths.org.uk   

Teachers of: 

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