"Care, guidance and support are outstanding." OFSTED

Mathematics Department

“If people do not believe that mathematics is simple, it is only because they do not realize how complicated life is.”  ~John Louis von Neumann

Introduction

Mathematics is widely considered to be a useful subject, and it is also a beautiful, wonderful subject which enables students to describe the world in which they live.  Students who can apply mathematics have the tools to understand many aspects of other subjects including science, social sciences, technology, engineering and economics.

“Mathematics - the unshaken Foundation of Sciences, and the plentiful Fountain of Advantage to human affairs.”  ~Isaac Barrow

Functional Mathematics

“Go down deep enough into anything and you will find mathematics.”  ~Dean Schlicter

Students at The Downs School participate in lessons that encourage them to think mathematically, acquire skills, then apply and secure them by solving problems in a range of contexts. 

Teaching and Learning

The teachers in the mathematics department engage students and convey their enthusiasm for the subject.  They provide opportunities for students to make links between different areas of mathematics and in different subject areas.  We also promote an understanding of the deep historical and cultural roots of our subject.  All students are challenged and expectations of achievement and behaviour are very high. 

All students are encouraged to develop into thinking individuals who can operate mathematically and achieve their potential.

Opportunities for studying mathematics beyond the curriculum are provided through our ‘Maths Award’ system and by participation in the International Mathematics Challenge.  Some students are incredibly successful in the Maths Challenge and go on to participate in further rounds.  There is also a very popular Maths Club on Friday lunchtimes.

Gifted students study for an AS level module during Key Stage Four alongside the GSCE course, giving them increased scope to study for an extra AS module in Further Mathematics if they wish to in the Sixth Form.

Students who need extra support in mathematics can take extra lessons in years 10 and 11 in place of an option subject.  Students with the potential to achieve a C follow the Study Plus course, the rest have Study Support lessons with an emphasis on targeted lessons to help them improve in numeracy and problem solving skills.  Both Study Plus and Study Support lessons compliment regular GCSE mathematics lessons.

All students are placed in ability sets from years 7 to 11.  Each student is issued with a textbook, which they are required to bring to lessons and use at home for homework and revision purposes.  We are subscribed to MyMaths which is a web site designed for use in and out of the classroom.  There are online tutorials, practice and revision sessions, as well as online homeworks and mathematical games.

The link is

http://www.mymaths.co.uk/

Students have access via the school’s login details.

All students are assessed once a term the purpose of this is to allow students and teachers to track progress and identify strengths as well as areas for development.  Homework is set every two weeks for years 7 and 9, and every week for all other years.  We always aim to give students meaningful feedback that enables them to take control of their own learning.

Students in year 9 have their own copy of Key Maths Text books, and students in Year 7 and 8 have New National Framework textbooks.  Edexcel Texts are used in Key Stage Four.  We deliver lessons using a variety of resources, including worksheets, practical or ‘hands on’ materials, as well as ICT based lessons. 

Results

Results are well above the national average and consistently high within West Berkshire.
In 2011;  
87% of year nine students achieved at least level 5, 72% were at level 6 or above and 54%  were at least level 7.
GCSE results
81 % of students achieved a grade C or above, 33% gained an A or A*.
A Level results
Mathematics: 96% gained a grade C or above, 48% gained a grade A or A*
Further Mathematics: 80% gained A grade, 20% gained A*grade.

Advanced Subsidiary and Advanced Level

Course Aims
The course is designed to:

• enable students to acquire mathematical skills and knowledge;
• give experience of problem solving;
• enable students to apply mathematics and recognise its significance in other subjects;
• develop understanding of mathematical reasoning;
• provide a foundation for further mathematical studies in Higher Education.

Entry Requirements
Fluency in algebra, trigonometry and computational skills are essential for success. It is also important to enjoy the challenge of mathematical problems. Without this, it will be difficult to sustain the motivation to succeed. 

Students with a grade B at GCSE will be considered as suitable candidates to study ‘AS’ Level Mathematics. Some students may prefer to study for the AS course ‘The Use of Mathematics’.  This course is provided by AQA and introduces mathematics topics beyond the GCSE syllabus and will lead to an AS qualification (an A2 if studied for two years) as well as two stand alone qualifications in Statistics or Decision maths.  The course is designed for students wishing to further their study of Mathematics but not to Degree Level. 

Course Content
The A Level Mathematics course consists of six equally weighted modules. Students must study four modules of Core Mathematics and two Applied modules from Mechanics, Statistics or Decision Mathematics. The AS Level course consists of three equally weighted modules, of which two must be Core Mathematics.

Core Mathematics

“Pure mathematics is, in its way, the poetry of logical ideas.”  ~Albert Einstein

This concerns the ideas, theorems and language of mathematics. The course includes algebra, functions, co-ordinate geometry, calculus, trigonometry, vectors, complex numbers and series.

Mechanics
This is the application of mathematics to physical problems. It involves producing simple models for real situations and applying basic equations to these.

Statistics
This is the mathematical study of chance and data analysis. Students studying other courses which require data analysis will find this module particularly useful.

Decision Mathematics
This the application of algorithms and models to practical situations.

Assessment
Each module is assessed by a 1 hour and 30 minutes examination paper some of which are taken in January of the year of study and some in May or June.

FURTHER MATHEMATICS – Advanced Level or Advanced Subsidiary Level
This course is designed to enable students to study mathematics in more depth and must be taken with 'A' Level Mathematics. It is an extension of the modular Mathematics 'A' Level course and is assessed in the same way. Students complete six modules (three for 'AS' Level) which build on the 'A' Level modules studied. The modules available cover Core Mathematics, Mechanics, Statistics and Decision Mathematics.

Level 2 Diploma Students
As part of their chosen diploma students studying at level 2, will need to follow the Functional Mathematics Course and need to pass this in order to complete their diploma.  They will have timetabled lessons as well as lots of support as they are taught in small groups with access to ICT facilities. 

Career and Higher Education Opportunities

Mathematics can be studied in its own right and is an essential tool for many scientific, technology and engineering courses.