The mathematics and computing faculty department aims to develop our students’ ability to solve mathematical and computational problems independently. This requires them to respond positively to challenge when presented with increasingly complex problems in a variety of contexts. We help students to achieve this by developing higher-order thinking skills such as conjecture, deduction, reasoning and proof in mathematics and decomposition, pattern recognition, abstraction and algorithm design in computer science. We also require students to be able to articulate their thinking and justify the techniques they have used in their arguments.
In Mathematics, in KS3, we place a particular importance on algebraic study, which helps develops the foundations needed in the later years. Students have three lessons a week both in Year 7 and Year 8. In KS4 (which begins in Year 9), students are placed in sets according to their performance in assessments throughout Year 8, where they continue to have three lessons a week for all three years. We follow the OCR examination board for GCSE mathematics and the AQA examination board for GCSE computer science. A large proportion of our Year 11 students also go on to study the further mathematics GCSE, reflecting not only their mathematical ability but also the drive and motivation of our students.
In the Sixth Form, the department delivers the A-level Mathematics and Further Maths courses with the Edexcel examination board and A-level Computer Science with the AQA examination board. After studying A-level many students go on to study degrees which contain Mathematics and/or Computer Science as a key element such as mathematics, computer science, engineering, cyber security, physics and economics.
Outside of lessons, students have the opportunity to participate in differing levels of the individual national Mathematics Challenge competitions, the Bebras Challenge, and other competitions including the MEM Challenge and MathsFeast. Students are supported through weekly lunchtime drop-in sessions, plus there is also a mentoring system in place with older students providing advice and help on a weekly basis.