Mathematics

Overview

The Mathematics department at Edgbarrow is a strong and successful team. There are currently twelve Mathematics teachers in the department, eight full-time and four part-time.  We have a history of nurturing consistently high results from our students both in terms of raw attainment and also a progression from Key Stage 2.

The department is well resourced with eight classrooms (six in the main block and two in the Sixth Form Centre) all of which have a desktop machine and an interactive whiteboard. The department has compiled an extensive bank of stored resources for use on the interactive whiteboard with all year groups, to which all staff contribute. There is also a central staff area that is used for storing equipment and teaching materials. We have access to the school computer labs for investigative/research work and also the use of a full class set of laptops with full wifi capability. Staff continuously share good practice and often plan together to maintain consistent delivery between classes.

We regularly host PGCE teacher training students from Reading University in a proven, mutually beneficial arrangement. They bring fresh ideas and new research into the classroom in return for our guidance and feedback on their teaching.
We have well-established relationships with primary schools in our catchment and offer guidance to Year 6 pupils who are about to make the transition to Secondary school.

Key Staff

Mrs Holloway - Head of Department
Miss Knowles - (2nd in Department)
Mr Laurie-Pile - (3rd in Department)
Mrs Arden-White
Mrs Fulton
Mrs Gascoigne
Mr Gilland
Mr Marshall
Mrs Meyer
Mr Simpson
Mrs Taylor
Mrs Tolcher

Results

Results achieved by pupils in Mathematics are outstanding as recognised by Ofsted. 

Key Stage 3
2018		GCSE Maths
2018		A Level Maths
2018		Further Maths
2018

 100% band 4+

 9 - 1  100%

 Pass  97%

 Pass 100%

 91% band 5+

 9 - 4   86%

 A*- B  60%

 A*- B  80%

 69% band 6+

 9 - 7   32%

 A*/ A  36%

 A*/ A  60%

 42% band 7+

 

 A*  10%

 A*   40%

 21% band 8+

      

  2% band 9

      
Maths Equipment Price List - March 2019 Maths Chase - learn your timetables game


Key Stage 3

Pupils are set by ability on arrival at Edgbarrow. Years 7 and 8 are taught in two parallel half year groups. From Year 9 onwards, the whole year group is taught at the same time and there is a vertical setting arrangement. A digital textbook accessed via the Kerboodle platform (OUP) is used by all classes in Years 7, 8 and 9.  Pupils have end of year assessments which are used to guide our setting for the following year.

KS3 Banding

Students will follow national guidelines throughout Key Stage 3 to support and prepare them for their Key Stage 4 courses. The school operates a banding system of 1-9 (9 being the highest band). Students will be given a target based upon their Key Stage 2 scores and baseline assessments on arrival at Edgbarrow.  The band they are awarded at the end of the Key Stage is intended to be indicative of the grade they may achieve at GCSE.

Banding Curriculum Map

Key Stage 4

GCSE

The vertical setting arrangement continues throughout Key Stage 4. The current GCSE course leads to entry for AQA linear syllabus 8300.  A digital textbook accessed via the Kerboodle platform (OUP) is used by all classes in Years 10 and 11.  

Key Stage 5

AS Level Statistics

Using and understanding data is becoming increasingly important in many areas of study and employment. Understanding of statistics is a crucial skill, and this course aims to give students the tools needed to help them prepare for higher education and the workplace.

This course will help students to develop the skills of statistical enquiry and practise the underpinning of statistical calculations and interpretation using real-world data and authentic contexts. It supports skills development for progression to a range of other subjects and develops an awareness of statistics beyond the classroom.

AS Statistics might appeal to the student seeking to pursue the study of a numerate post-16 subject but not wishing to study pure mathematics. It sits well with subjects such as Biology, Psychology, Geography, Business Studies and Economics. The emphasis is on using and applying statistics; appropriate interpretation of contexts and the outcomes of statistical procedures will be required.
This qualification enables students to apply themselves and will give them the logical, problem-solving and numerical skills to succeed in their chosen pathway.
AS Statistics is a one-year course with external exams at the end of that year.

A Level

Mathematics is one of the most popular choices for A Level at Edgbarrow and there are usually four or five Mathematics AS and A Level classes of 15 to 22 students in each year group. There is a Further Mathematics group in each year. 

Year 12
This is a new 2 year linear specification with all exams being sat in the Summer of 2019.  The course will cover topics in pure maths, statistics and mechanics.  Students will have access to online resources including integral and a digital textbook via Kerboodle platform.  Students are asked to contribute financially for these online resources.

Year 13
The current A2 course leads to modular examinations with Edexcel.  All pupils study the Decision module along with Core 3 and Core 4 modules.

Further Mathematics

Year 12
Students will be doing AS exams in this subject with Edexcel in Summer 2018.

Year 13
Students will be sitting module exams in Summer 2018 of FP2, D2 and S2.

Extra Curricular

Top sets for all year groups (7 to 13) are entered into the UKMT maths challenge which happens once a year. The highest achievers in this then go onto the second round of the competition. We also take Years 8 to 13 on Team Maths Challenges, take Year 7 to the Bracknell Forest Maths Marathon and Year 8 to the Bracknell Forest Maths Olympics.

 For further information regarding our Mathematics Curriculum please contact:
Mrs Holloway   denise.holloway@edgbarrowschool.co.uk