LATEST NEWS:

Maths

Aims of the department

  1. To make all students “functional” in mathematics, so that they are able to think independently in applied and abstract ways, and can reason, solve problems and assess risk.
  2. To equip all students with uniquely powerful ways to describe, analyse and change the world.
  3. To stimulate moments of pleasure and wonder for all pupils when they solve a problem for the first time, discover a more elegant solution, or notice hidden connections.
  4. To make students aware of the creative aspect of mathematics and promote fluency in the language of mathematics.
  5. To make learning mathematics an enjoyable and fun activity for all students.
  6. To encourage every student to achieve as highly as possible, irrespective of their ability.

How do you bring this subject to life at BGS?

We use a wide variety of multimedia resources to make the subject more engaging, ranging from videos of mathematics in use in the real world to high-powered interactive computer models to demonstrate complex ideas.

We also employ practical tasks so that students can gain an understanding of the relevance of the subject to the real world and develop as “functional” mathematicians.

What facilities do you have?

  • We have interactive whiteboards in every maths classroom.
  • We use a variety of specialist interactive maths software.
  • Mini-whiteboards which are regularly used with all age groups.
  • We have textbooks to support Y9 to 13 and an in-house created booklet scheme, BGS Maths, for Y7 & 8.
  • We purchase a “MyMaths” subscription to enable all students to be supported in their mathematical development at home.

Do staff have specialist areas of interest?

All of the Maths staff are fully conversant in all areas of KS3 and KS4 mathematics.

In KS5 all of the A-level teachers are totally familiar with all aspects of the A2 course, but particular areas of interest are:

  • Mr Hamshaw-Hart is particularly interested in Mechanics as he has an Engineering background.
  • Mrs Caddell prefers Calculus.
  • Mrs Field has a preference for Statistics and Discrete Maths.
  • Mrs Thompson likes Pure Mathematics.

What is the coolest thing about the department?

Having well qualified, enthusiastic, friendly and helpful staff that bring the subject to life and want every student to achieve their full potential.

Here are some quotes from current students…

“In Maths…Every person counts” (A year 11 student)

“I like the way that the teacher tries to help each individual” (A year 11 student)

“The teachers are good and they try to make it fun” (A year 8 student)

“The maths department has nice teachers” (A year 7 pupil)

“Maths can be really fun if you give it a chance. I think a lot of people underestimate how much fun you can have” ( A year 8 student)

“Maths is very supportive” (A year 8 student)

What do pupils enjoy most about learning in this department?

“The resources are very well put together, making it an easy and enjoyable way of learning” (A year 8 student)

“I enjoy learning new topics, and feel like I have accomplished something when I can answer new questions that I couldn’t before” (A year 11 student)

“The resources are great and I really look forward to coming to a maths lesson” (A year 7 student)

“You get something exciting and different to do every lesson” (A year 10 student)

“I really like maths because I really like our teacher. He pushes us to the limit so we can work our best.” (A year 7 student)

“The teachers get interactive with you when you need help” (A year 10 student)

“A new and interesting way of learning maths that can be applied in every day life” (A year 10 student)

What teaching styles do you use in the department?

We use a wide range of teaching & learning styles, and try to make the lessons as enjoyable for students as possible.

Here are what some of our current students’ thoughts…

“I like the starters, like Countdown, because it tests your knowledge on the spot under pressure, whilst having fun and a laugh” (A year 11 student)

“The starters at the beginning are an ingenious way of getting maths to be enjoyable” (A year 11 student)

“The SmartBoard activities are fun and involve a lot of thought” (A year 11 student)

“I think the BGS books (for Y7 & Y8) are a brilliant resource” (A year 8 student)

“The Maths department has to be one of the most organised. It has all the necessary resources, like MyMaths, and the teachers are always willing to help in their own time” (A year 11 student)

“It’s good how we can get set virtual homework through MyMaths” (A year 11 student)

Staff

Head of Maths: Mr Hamshaw-Hart, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Assistant Head of Maths: Mrs Caddell, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Mrs Field, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Mr Hodson, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Mr Knifton, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Mrs Thompson, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Curriculum

Year 7:

Year 7 are taught in mixed ability form groups for mathematics. The main teaching resource comprises the sets of booklets in the in-house scheme, BGS Maths, in many cases with associated worksheets.  The booklets have been designed to allow every student in the mixed ability class to make excellent progress.  In some of the booklets, the later sections may be intended for only the more able students.  Additional extension material is available for the most able.

Students complete 4 “module tests” throughout the year which allow us to gauge their progress.

Year 8:

Year 8 are also taught in mixed ability form groups for mathematics. The BGS Maths scheme is again used in year 8. Students complete 3 “module tests” throughout the year which allow us to gauge their progress. Then towards the end of year 8 the students will sit an exam, the results of which help us to decide upon the setting for year 9.

Year 9:

In Year 9, the year group is split into two equal ability halves. Each half is then divided into three sets.

The main teaching resource is a set of “New Maths Frameworking” texts, which allow us to help individual students to progress towards their target level and at the same time introduce the concept of “Functional Mathematics”

Students complete 4 “module tests” throughout the year which allow us to assess their progress and also enable us to decide upon how the students should be set in year 10.

After May, the students begin their GCSE course.

Year 10:

In year 10, the year group is split into 6 concurrent sets. The students follow the AQA GCSE modular specification, with sets 1 to 3 studying the Higher tier and sets 4 to 6 studying the Foundation tier. The first exam is sat in the middle of November and is worth 20% of the final grade. The second exam is sat in June and accounts for 30% of the final GCSE grade. Each exam consists of a calculator paper and a non-calculator paper.

There is no coursework.

Year 11:

In year 11, the year group stays in 6 sets. The third and final examination is sat in May/June and accounts for 50% of the final GCSE grade. The exam consists of a calculator paper and a non-calculator paper.

There is still no coursework.

Some students may be given the opportunity to study an additional course in GCSE Statistics. This is currently done in twilight classes for one hour per week.

Year 12:

At AS level, we study AQA Mathematics. The teaching is shared between Beverley Grammar School and Beverley High School.

The modules studied are Core 1, Core 2 and Statistics 1. The external exam for the unit Core 1 is taken in January of Y12. This is a non-calculator exam. The units Core 2 and Statistics 1 are taken in June of Year 12; leading to an AS in Mathematics.

Students can also select to study AQA AS Further Mathematics in addition to AS Mathematics. This is an extra AS qualification that is useful for students who wish to study Maths, Sciences or Engineering at certain universities.

Teaching of this course is done by two of the Beverley Schools on a rotation basis, currently this is taught by Beverley High School and Longcroft School.

The modules studied are Further Pure 1, Decision 1 and Decision 2. The external exam for the unit Decision 1 is taken in January of Y12. The units Decision 2 and Further Pure 1 are taken in June of Year 12; leading to an AS in Further Mathematics.

Year 13:

At A2 level, we study AQA Mathematics. The teaching is shared between Beverley Grammar School and Beverley High School.

The modules studied are Core 3, Core 4 and Mechanics 1. The external exams for the units Core 3 and Mechanics 1 are taken in January of Y13. The unit Core 4 1 is taken in June of Year 13, leading to an A2 in Mathematics.

Students that have studied AS Further Mathematics in Y12 can continue this to A2 level. The modules studied are flexible to meet the needs and interests of the students, but typically are Further Pure 2, Further Pure 3 and either Statistics 2 or Mechanics 2. The external exams for the units Further Pure 2 and Further Pure 3 are taken in January of Y13. The final units of either Statistics 2 or Mechanics 2 are taken in June of Year 13; leading to an A2 in Further Mathematics.

Students that have not studied AS Further Mathematics in Y12 can choose to study it in Y13 and the outline of the course is the same as in Y12.

Extra Curricular Clubs, Support, etc

  • All of the maths teachers are willing to give up their free time to help students who are experiencing difficulties.
  • In addition, in the run up to external examinations revision classes are available at all levels.
  • We also have a maths club which runs once a week, which looks at interesting, weird and fun maths.
  • Furthermore, the maths department contribute to the STEM club which runs on a weekly basis and aims to give students experience of many and varied aspects of real world engineering.
  • Our top 30 students in each year group are entered for the UKMT National maths competition. We are very successful in this and a large proportion of our students receive awards for their achievements.
  • We also enter teams of four students into the UKMT Team challenges. Our Junior teams have performed very well in the regional heats, consistently achieving a top 5 place.  Our senior team won the regional heat last year and gave a very good account of themselves in the National final when competing against the top 50 schools in the country.

Links to other useful websites

www.mymaths.co.uk - lots of useful resources for students from Y7 to Y13

www.mathworld.wolfram.com - the most extensive maths site on the web

nrich.maths.org/public - great site for puzzles and challenges

www.mathcomp.leeds.ac.uk - information about the UKMT Maths challenges

Other Information

We are currently celebrating our best ever set of exam results:

  • In GCSE Maths 82 % of our students achieved grade C or better and 30% of our students achieved a grade A or A*
  • In GCSE Statistics 96 % of our students achieved grade C or better and 61% of our students achieved a grade A or A*
  • At AS Mathematics 94% of our students passed and 53% attained a grade A or B.
  • At A2 Mathematics 100% of our students passed and 67% got an A or a B grade.
  • At AS Further Mathematics all of our students passed and 69% achieved a grade A or B.
  • At A2 Further Mathematics all of our students passed and 75% got an A or a B grade.