Mathematics

The department is led by Mr Nicholas Burns.
Other members of the department are  
Mr Paul Thornely- Assistant Principal with responsibility for behaviour, curriculum and timetabling
Mr Zak Bougara – Maths Teacher
Mr Saj Sarwar - Maths Teacher
Mrs Welma Horn - Maths Teacher
Ms Susan O’Callaghan - Maths Teacher
Ms Rebecca Keen - Maths Teacher
Mr Mike Sones – Maths Teaching Assistant
Mrs Kay Ward – Maths Teaching Assistant (National Challenge)

Key Stage 3
Students are set by ability, within two broad bands, based on their KS2 Levels in the core subjects and on recent teacher assessments.  Sets are reviewed, as students’ progress is assessed, each half term.
Study Schedules (Schemes of Work) are organised within year groups 7 – 9, to ensure that students receive a full and varied maths education incorporating the 5 key areas of maths as outlined in the National Framework – Mathematical Processes and Applications, Number, Algebra, Geometry and Statistics.
It is our intention to ensure that students are numerate and able to apply their maths skills to real world issues.

Key Stage 4
Students in the Academy follow the EDEXCL modular course in mathematics. Some students are also able to study Statistics at GCSE level, again with EDEXCEL.
Students are set by ability in order to ensure that they are studying towards the correct level of entry at GCSE. Higher covers the grades A*-D, Foundation covers C-G.  Students complete 3 modules.  As modular results are amassed, sets are reviewed to enable teaching and learning to be precisely focussed on students’ needs and targets.

Key Stage 5
Our post-16 Maths provision is in the early stages of development since its inception in 2008.  We currently offer AS Level courses Mathematics, with some students progressing to A2 (the full “A” Level) in these subjects. The course consists of 4 units of core with 2 applied modules statistics and decision theory. This enables students to have a rounded maths education and establish a clearer picture of what areas of mathematics they would like to study further.
Students are given excellent opportunities to develop their skills to meet the demands of advanced level study; the teachers of AS and A2 are fully committed and highly enthusiastic. They have a range of experience and expertise, from entry level teachers, to staff with over thirty years’ service.  The two teachers currently delivering A level are Ms O’Callaghan and Mr Thornely with other teachers in the department eager to contribute in the future.

Surveys of our students and their parents have consistently shown that they have a high regard for the standards of Mathematics teaching in the Academy.
2009 GCSE Results – Mathematics - 36% attained A* - C         
We are currently a National Challenge school; our A*- C target for Mathematics is 42%, to ensure that we meet the “floor target” of 30% five A* - C including English and Maths.