  All
students are required to study Mathematics at a level which is appropriate to their
ability. Students are prepared for the OCR, Syllabus A.
All Mathematics taught is
aimed at giving students confidence and stimulating them to enjoy the subject by
helping them to assimilate Mathematical ideas and succeed in carrying out Mathematical
calculations. Students will work within a group containing other students of a similar
ability level.
The course is a continuation and a reinforcement of what has been
covered through Key Stage 3. The course through Key Stage 4 is based upon a series
of text books produced by Vickers & Tipler, specifically for National Curriculum
Mathematics.
The course is delivered through a mixture of ‘traditional’ and ‘modern’
approaches. Practical investigations form a significant part of the course; the
use of lap-top computers in included, and ultimately the coursework element of Mathematics
constitutes 20% of the final grade.
All students are encouraged to bring their own
calculator to Mathematics lessons. These are important and necessary in many areas
of Mathematics, and students benefit from getting used to one particular calculator.
The final examination has 3 different levels of entry. Students who enter for the
Higher Tier can obtain grades up to an A*. Students who enter for the Intermediate
Tier can obtain grades up to a B. Students who enter for the Foundation Tier can
obtain grades up to a D. Final decisions regarding the entry levels are not made
until after the mock examinations in Year 11. The use of calculators is permitted
on one of the final examinations papers, but not on the other.
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