Maths Departments

The Mathematics Department has 11 members of staff who teach in the 9 dedicated teaching rooms, all of which are equipped with Interactive Whiteboards.  The advancement in technology has enabled the mathematics departement to increase their range of teaching and learning styles by incorporating the use of IWB in our teaching.  There are also class sets of graphical calculators that are available for use when teaching certain topics.

Setting of pupils

In year 7 and 8 the pupils are taught in their form groups.  In year 9, 10 and 11 they are set on ability.  It is intended that all pupils will be entered for the Higher tier paper in GCSE maths, with the most able being entered for Additional Maths.  We are, and will be in the future, using the Edexcel syllabus. 

If you wish to visit the Edexcel site for more information then please click here.

Aims Of The Department

Mathematics teachers aim to:

• awaken and kindle interest in the fascinating nature of Mathematics
• raise self-esteem of pupils, develop confidence in ability to achieve success
• encourage communication of mathematical ideas from both a teacher-pupil and pupil-pupil point of view
• develop use of ICT as aid to learning and understanding
• reward achievement with written and or spoken praise
• create a supportive climate in the classroom in which it is safe to give a ‘wrong’ answer
• develop mutual respect between teacher/pupil and pupil/pupil
• set work which is interesting and challenging with a time limit for completion so a reasonable pace is set for the lesson
• give each pupil a positive experience of mathematics in their time at HGS

Mathematics GCSE and Statistics GCSE

Pupils in year 10 and year 11 currently have the opportunity to obtain a GCSE in both Mathematics and in Statistics.  This is possible because there is some overlap between the 2 syllabi. This does not mean more work for the pupils in respect of time as this has been taken into account in the timetable.  The 2 Top Sets take their GCSE Statistics at the end of year 10, whereas the rest of the year group will sit their GCSE Statistics at the end of year 11.  The top 2 sets in year 10 will then go on to do Additional Mathematics as well as their GCSE Mathematics at the end of year 11.

GCSE Coursework

In year 10 pupils undertake a controlled assessment which forms 25% of their overall grade at GCSE Statistics.  There is no coursework for GCSE Mathematics. 

Enrichment

As well as being taught Mathematics, pupils are encouraged to broaden their depth and enrichment of the subject by participating in challenges that are set by the UKMT based at Leeds University.  There are 3 levels of challenge, Junior, Intermediate and Senior.  The Junior Challenge is taken by all year 8 and some of year 7, the Intermediate Challenge is taken by all of year 10 and some of year 9 and the Senior Challenge is taken by the high flying set in year 11 and those from the Sixth Form who wish to participate.

There is also 2 Team Challenges, Junior (years 8 +9) and Senior (years 11, 12, 13).

More information on these challenges can be found in the Challenge section of this website.