John Hampden Grammar School
Marlow Hill, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP11 1SZ
Marlow Hill, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP11 1SZ
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Main > Curriculum > Subjects > Mathematics
Mathematics
Keystage 3:
Keystage 4:
Keystage 5/AS/A2:
Mathematics
| General Information Mathematics contributes to and draws from many subjects and aspects of the curriculum.
We aim to develop investigational skills, number, algebra, space and measures and data handling. Applications of Mathematics in everyday life are brought into all areas of study. The aims of the Mathematics Department are to ensure that each pupil on leaving school: 1. is numerate; 2. has sufficient mathematical skills for the career of his choice; 3. will understand the mathematics likely to be encountered in daily adult life; 4. will acquire the logical abilities characteristic of the mathematician, and will develop an interest in the historical, recreational and cultural aspects of mathematics. The departmental objectives are: at the end of a student's mathematical education in this school, he will be able: 1. to perform basic numeracy skills; 2. to perform the basic mathematical skills needed in his chosen career or for entry to higher or further mathematical education; 3. to reason clearly and logically, and to set out a logical argument; 4. to identify patterns encountered in diverse situations and to extrapolate from these; 5. to approach problems systematically, choosing appropriate techniques for their solution; 6. to follow logical instructions clearly expressed; 7. to experience satisfaction in and enjoyment of his mathematical achievements; 8. to obtain any formal mathematical qualifications needed for his chosen career. | Recommended Resources |
At Key Stage 3, students follow the National Numeracy Strategy Framework. We use Essential Mathematics by Rayner as a core text, supplemented by other resources and make full use of the ICT facilities. All students are entered for the Junior Maths Challenge. A Maths Surgery has been established where sixth form mathematicians give help to younger students at lunchtime.
Two homeworks a week are set in Years 7-9, each homework should take approximately 30 minutes. We set from year 9 onwards.
Two homeworks a week are set in Years 7-9, each homework should take approximately 30 minutes. We set from year 9 onwards.
Keystage 4:
At Key Stage 4 we set the pupils according to ability, the exact nature of the sets varies from year to year. There are opportunities for some students to progress onto A-level during Key Stage 4. All students are entered for the Intermediate Maths Challenge. The Maths Surgery is also available to these students.
In Years 10 and 11 most of the teaching time is spent developing further the problem-solving skills and learning the methods necessary for success beyond Key Stage 3 of the National Curriculum. The main areas of study are number, algebra, space and measures, and data handling.
Some work involves the use of calculators but it is also very important to develop mental and ‘pencil and paper’ skills as calculators are only allowed in one of the two written papers at GCSE. The majority of boys enter at the Higher tier, aiming to achieve an A or A* grade, but a small number of boys follow the Intermediate tier course for which the target grade is B. From 2008 onwards there will be a change in levels of entry, with the intermediate tier no longer being available. At present we expect all boys to sit the new higher tier. Further information can be found on the EdExcel website.
Some topics involve investigational, project work. In the final assessment at the end of Key Stage Four 80% of the marks will come from written exams and 20% from a sample of the project work. This takes the form of two extended tasks: one taken in Year 10 and one in Year 11; one piece of extended work must demonstrate an ability to handle and compare data. From 2009 there will be no coursework requirement in mathematic!
In Years 10 and 11 most of the teaching time is spent developing further the problem-solving skills and learning the methods necessary for success beyond Key Stage 3 of the National Curriculum. The main areas of study are number, algebra, space and measures, and data handling.
Some work involves the use of calculators but it is also very important to develop mental and ‘pencil and paper’ skills as calculators are only allowed in one of the two written papers at GCSE. The majority of boys enter at the Higher tier, aiming to achieve an A or A* grade, but a small number of boys follow the Intermediate tier course for which the target grade is B. From 2008 onwards there will be a change in levels of entry, with the intermediate tier no longer being available. At present we expect all boys to sit the new higher tier. Further information can be found on the EdExcel website.
Some topics involve investigational, project work. In the final assessment at the end of Key Stage Four 80% of the marks will come from written exams and 20% from a sample of the project work. This takes the form of two extended tasks: one taken in Year 10 and one in Year 11; one piece of extended work must demonstrate an ability to handle and compare data. From 2009 there will be no coursework requirement in mathematic!
Keystage 5/AS/A2:
This course is available to students who have achieved at least a B grade at HIGHER TIER in GCSE Mathematics.
The A level course is divided into two sections: Pure and Applied Mathematics. In Pure, the major areas are developing skills in algebra and trigonometry from the foundations built at GCSE; also starting a major study of calculus. It has been said that you can only call yourself a true mathematician when you have at least some knowledge of the joys of calculus. One reason for this is the many applications of calculus in applied maths. Applied is about learning to model real life problems with mathematics. This involves deciding which elements of a problem should be included in the analysis, translating the problem into mathematics, solving it and finally interpreting the solution.
All students will study at least one Statistics or one Mechanics unit. Mechanics involves looking at problems such as projectiles; whether they be rockets or footballs; and the stability of systems such as ladders. Links with aspects of Physics are particularly strong. Statistics involves learning how to analyse data and decide when significant results, such as the effectiveness of a new drug, have been established. Statistics has applications in Biology, Geography, Economics and Business Studies. It may be possible to study Decision Maths as an alternative to either Mechanics or Statistics. This involves the study of algorithms and decision-making processes and has applications in Business, for example. All single subject students in year 12 will study M1 (the first mechanics module) before deciding if they wish to do more mechanics into year 13 or switch to statistics.
The A level course is divided into two sections: Pure and Applied Mathematics. In Pure, the major areas are developing skills in algebra and trigonometry from the foundations built at GCSE; also starting a major study of calculus. It has been said that you can only call yourself a true mathematician when you have at least some knowledge of the joys of calculus. One reason for this is the many applications of calculus in applied maths. Applied is about learning to model real life problems with mathematics. This involves deciding which elements of a problem should be included in the analysis, translating the problem into mathematics, solving it and finally interpreting the solution.
All students will study at least one Statistics or one Mechanics unit. Mechanics involves looking at problems such as projectiles; whether they be rockets or footballs; and the stability of systems such as ladders. Links with aspects of Physics are particularly strong. Statistics involves learning how to analyse data and decide when significant results, such as the effectiveness of a new drug, have been established. Statistics has applications in Biology, Geography, Economics and Business Studies. It may be possible to study Decision Maths as an alternative to either Mechanics or Statistics. This involves the study of algorithms and decision-making processes and has applications in Business, for example. All single subject students in year 12 will study M1 (the first mechanics module) before deciding if they wish to do more mechanics into year 13 or switch to statistics.