Mathematics Department
Staff
Mrs Claire McGilton
Mr Andrew Walker
Mr Jonathan Todd
Mrs Sally Forbes
Mr David Hinds
Mrs Claire Woodside
Miss Kathryn Orr
Mr Stephen Robinson
Dr Pascale Hewitt
Subject Overview
Mathematics is considered vital to the development of the world around us. It helps us understand the past and present and predict the future. We need mathematics to create the engineering, technological, scientific and social solutions for the challenges facing the world today.
The vision of the mathematics department is to be a team that strives to inspire a love of mathematics in our pupils, to challenge, and engage them, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed for success in their future endeavours We hope to encourage them to study the subject beyond school.
We aim to:
- help pupils to achieve academic excellence in mathematics.
- create opportunities to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- create an inclusive and supportive learning environment.
- encourage a collaborative culture and community spirit among staff and pupils.
Accommodation
The mathematics department has five fully equipped general purpose classrooms. There is also a resource room in which pupils can study. Each room has an interactive screen to enhance teaching and pupil learning.
Achievements
The Mathematics department obtains excellent results at both GCSE and at A level. We also regularly have pupils applying to Oxbridge and other universities to continue their study of Mathematics.
Each year we participate in United Kingdom Mathematics Trust competitions. We have also taken part in, and won, the Queen’s University Senior Mathematics challenge in recent years.
Key Stage 3
At Key stage 3 pupils follow the Northern Ireland Curriculum. They are taught Mathematics in the main strands of Number, Algebra, Shape and Space, Measure and Data Handling. The Mathematics Department is embracing the New Curriculum and constantly developing Active Learning Material to enhance pupils enjoyment of Mathematics.
Key Stage 4
Mathematics is a core subject at GCSE Level. Whilst continuing to develop knowledge in the main strands we also allow pupils to develop their functional Mathematics skills. The GCSE Specification allows pupils to develop their knowledge, skills and understanding of mathematical methods and concepts as well as acquiring and using problem-solving strategies.
There is also the opportunity to study GCSE Further Mathematics for those candidates who require knowledge beyond that provided by the GCSE Higher Tier Syllabus in Mathematics and who are capable of working beyond the limits of the existing GCSE examination. It can act as a stepping stone that gives students a sound basis for studying GCE Mathematics, introducing some of the mechanics and statistics topics that appear at AS/A2 level.
Further Mathematics can also help students progress to other studies that require mathematical knowledge and skills, for example higher level science, geography, technology or business.
Key Stage 5
GCE Mathematics is a very popular choice at A Level with up to 50 pupils choosing it. It will cover the main strands of Pure Mathematics, Mechanics and Statistics. The subject builds on the skills, knowledge and understanding that students have developed in their previous study of mathematics up to GCSE level and is considered by universities as a very valuable qualification, easily transferable across many different courses and degree types.
Further Mathematics extends the content of ‘A' level Mathematics and helps to promote the development of students as more independent learners with enhanced skills of reasoning and analysis
Career Opportunities
Former pupils who have studied Mathematics at GCE Level have experienced success in further and higher education as well as careers in accountancy, finance, statistics, computer programming, engineering, medicine, psychology, architecture, dentistry and teaching among others.
In short, there is no real barrier to what you can do with Mathematics.