Mathematics
Department Aims
At St Alban’s, regardless of the topic being covered, it is the aim of those teaching Mathematics to provide opportunities for all students to:
- Use and apply mathematics in practical tasks, in real-life problems and within mathematics itself
- Work on problems that pose a challenge
- Encounter and consider different lines of mathematical argument
- Succeed
- Enjoy mathematics
The Mathematics Department seeks to ensure that each child learns effectively through a number of strategies and teaching styles such as:
- Open ended tasks
- Diagnostic questioning
- Problem solving
- Investigative tasks
- Class discussion
- Individual and Group work
- Practical work
- Book and worksheets
- Show me boards
In Years 7-11 the students are taught in sets, but it is our policy to allow students to move sets when appropriate, encouraging scholarship.
GCSE students will study towards the Edexcel (Pearson) specification.
Order of Teaching
Here is the outline of the order of teaching for Years 7-11. Students study a series of twelve different modules.
| AUTUMN | Module |
| Week 1 | 1 Number |
| Week 2 | |
| Week 3 | 4a Proportion |
| Week 4 | |
| Week 5 | 2 Calculations |
| Week 6 | |
| Week 7 | Consolidation & Assessment |
| Half term | |
| Week 8 | 8 Angles |
| Week 9 | |
| Week 10 | 5 Equations then Formulae |
| Week 11 | |
| Week 12 | 3 Construction |
| Week 13 | |
| Week 14 | Consolidation & Assessment |
| SPRING | Module |
| Week 1 | 6 Sequences then Graphs |
| Week 2 | |
| Week 3 | 9 Mensuration |
| Week 4 | |
| Week 5 | 1 Number |
| Week 6 | 2 Calculations |
| Week 7 | Consolidation & Assessment |
| Half term | |
| Week 8 | 10 Probability |
| Week 9 | |
| Week 10 | 4b Proportion |
| Week 11 | |
| Week 12 | Consolidation & Assessment |
| Week 13 | |
| SUMMER | Module |
| Week 1 | 7 Transformations |
| Week 2 | |
| Week 3 | 11 Data |
| Week 4 | |
| Week 5 | 4c Proportion |
| Half term | |
| Week 6 | 5 Equations then Formulae |
| Week 7 | |
| Week 8 | 8 Angles |
| Week 9 | |
| Week 10 | 6 Sequences then Graphs |
| Week 11 | |
| Week 12 | Consolidation & Assessment |
| Week 13 | |
Hegarty Maths
St. Alban’s has a subscription with Hegarty Maths – www.hegartymaths.com
This is a superb website, which includes short videos and quizzes for every maths skill required for the high school curriculum and GCSE Maths. Much of the homework for years 7-10 will be using Hegarty Maths.
Maths Department Website
More information about all of the maths courses and resources can be found on our maths department website – www.stalbansmaths.com
Ipswich Maths
This website has past exam papers and mark schemes with video ‘screencasts’ to support study towards GCSE. This is especially useful for Years 10 & 11 and is regularly used for homeworks – www.ipswichmaths.co.uk
Pupil Premium Students
To support Pupil Premium students in Year 11 we offer 1-to-1 tutoring with Sixth Form mathematicians either during lunchtimes or after school.
There are also homework clubs for Pupil Premiums to attend after school as well as an extension maths challenge club at lunchtime.
We also provide all of these students with a few revision workbook and GCSE
Equipment
It is vital that your child comes to lesson with all the necessary equipment. All students should bring to every lesson:
- Pen
- Pencil
- Ruler
- Rubber
- Protractor
- Pair of compasses
- Calculator (recommended Casio FX83GTX)
A stationery pack including all the above equipment (plus more) can be purchased on ParentMail.
A Level Mathematics & Further Mathematics
A Level Mathematics students will study towards the Edexcel (Pearson) specification.
A Level Further Mathematics will study towards the AQA specification.
An outline of the two courses are as follows:
A Level Mathematics
Mathematical argument, language and proof
Mathematical problem solving
Mathematical modelling
Proof
Algebra and functions
Coordinate geometry in the (x,y) plane
Sequences and series
Trigonometry
Exponentials and logarithms
Differentiation
Integration
Numerical methods
Vectors
Statistical sampling
Data presentation and interpretation
Probability
Statistical distributions
Statistical hypothesis testing
Quantities and units in mechanics
Kinematics
Forces and Newton's laws
Moments
This will be assessed by three two-hour examinations at the end of the two-year course.
A Level Further Mathematics
Proof
Complex numbers
Matrices
Further Algebra and Functions
Further Calculus
Further Vectors
Polar coordinates
Hyperbolic functions
Differential equations
Trigonometry
Numerical Methods
Discrete Mathematics
Further Mechanics
This will be assessed by three two-hour examinations at the end of the two-year course.
Mathematical Studies
We offer the one-year level-3 course in Mathematical Studies (sometimes called Core Maths or Use of Maths). This course is focussed on problem solving and the application of mathematics. This is ideal for students who are studying A-levels in subjects such as geography, psychology, sociology and history, which now have increased mathematical content.
This is a one-year course with two examinations at the end of Year 12, which also carry UCAS points to help applications to universities.