Maths - Our Curriculum
Key Stage 3
Students in Remove, Lower Four and Upper Four use the popular STP Mathematics course alongside MyMaths books and the MyMaths website. We broadly follow the English National Curriculum which divides the subject into six main areas
Number
Algebra
Ratio, proportion and Rates of Change
Geometry and Measures
Probability
Statistics
The course is designed to give the girls a good grounding in the traditional and essential skills needed as a basis for GCSE. Girls are set according to ability and movement between the sets is common as students grow and develop at different rates.
Assessment is through classwork, homework and tests in class. End of Year examinations take place in May. Students in Lower and Upper 4 are also examined in November.
Key Stage 4
After a rigorous grounding in the traditional skills of mathematics during the first three years of the senior school, the focus moves to the syllabus for the Edexcel IGCSE qualification in Lower Five and Upper Five. Approximately 60% of the girls gain a level 7,8 or 9 and it is very rare for a girl not to gain a grade 4.
Assessment is by two written examinations
Students in Set 1 also study Statistics and sit the GCSE in this subject alongside their Mathematics IGCSE in the summer of their Upper 5 year.
Key Stage 5
The tentacles of Mathematics nowadays reach out into almost all subject areas and, as a result, the majority of girls now study mathematics throughout their whole time at school; we regularly have upwards of 50% of the sixth form studying the subject at A-level and above.
In the sixth form, we collaborate with Elizabeth College to offer both Mathematics and Further Mathematics A Levels. Students studying for the single subject 'Mathematics' study Core Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, which consists of Statistics and Mechanics components, over one or two years. The number studying 'Mathematics and Further Mathematics' has risen sharply in recent years in response to the requirements of the top universities and girls can choose to study those areas of Mathematics that most interest them. The Mathematics A Level is assessed by three, 2 hour examinations. Further Mathematics students sit a further four, 90 minute examinations. These are sat at the end of Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth.
For those aiming for the very highest levels, we offer tuition in the STEP syllabi.
