About The Mathematics Department

Mathematics Department Results

This very successful, thriving department has had Specialist College status since 1^st September 2004 and has seen it’s results improve year on year since then :-

 Maths Results table

Year	Key Stage 3	Key Stage 4	Key Stage 5
2005	75.6% Level 5+ 51.9% Level 6+	52% A*-C GCSE	100% A-E A2 100% A-E Further Maths
2006	79% Level 5+ 60% Level 6+	56.1% A*-C GCSE	100% A-E A2 75% A-E Further Maths
2007	75% Level 5+ 56% Level 6+	61% A*-C GCSE	71% A-C A2 58% A-C Further Maths
2008	78.4% Level 5+ 59.7% Level 6+	67.4% A*-C GCSE	95% A-E A2 100% A-E Further Maths
2009	79% Level 5+ 60% Level 6+	67% A*-C GCSE	93% A-E A2 100% A-E Further Maths
2010	82% Level 5+ 61% Level 6+	69%A*-C GCSE	97%A-E A2 100% A-E Further Maths
2011		70%A*-C GCSE	91% A-E A2 100% A-E Further Maths
2012		75%A*-C GCSE	95% A-E A2 75% A-E Further Maths

 

Results are based on Mock SATS 

Fisher Family Trust shows high added value and indicators are very positive.

Staff

The Mathematics department is a well-qualified, cohesive and supportive group of 19 teachers who have embraced the opportunities of specialist status initiatives, raised expectations and the quality of mathematics teaching within Exmouth Community College and our partner schools. Most members of the department teach across the age, and attainment ranges, in Key Stage 3 and 4 - and many teach Post 16 courses. The department benefits from the college strategy of reducing class sizes for middle ability groups at KS 4. by increased staffing.

Accommodation and Resources

A substantial refurbishment of all rooms has taken place, including new interactive whiteboards. We now have networked computers in all Maths class-rooms, all members of the Maths team have their own machine. Mathematics is taught in specialist rooms on one site.  Most teachers are timetabled into the same room for all of their lessons. A new state of the art Lecture Theatre was opened by Johnny Ball in October 2005 primarily for Maths teaching which incorporates an interactive whiteboard and wireless tablet computers. There is a well resourced maths office. Most members of the department have a laptop computer. Appointees will receive a laptop if required. The college is wi fi enabled and runs 13 IT suites and a range of resources and venues are available to the dept to enhance teaching and learning.

Curriculum

K.S. 3

 

In years 7 and 8, our students follow a programme of study based on the national curriculum. We use the Oxford University Publishing Maths Links series of textbooks alongside a programme of activities designed to develop their ability to apply mathematics to real life.

 

In year 9, students start studying the OCR GCSE syllabus J562. The aim is for most students to finish their Mathematics GCSE by the middle of year 11.

 

Students are set by ability from year 7 and all year groups are given regular assessments throughout the year. We use both formal and informal assessment data to ensure that we have placed students in the most appropriate group.

 

Able pupils are identified at the end of year 7 and enrichment activities are provided every week in year 8. In year 9, these students start an accelerated GCSE programme that enables them to finish their GCSE by the end of year 10. This allows them to study an additional mathematics qualification in year 11. We also run a popular numeracy boosting programme for year 7 students and their parents. This takes place in the Autumn term and attendance is by invitation. 

 

K.S. 4

At Key Stage 4, the department follows the OCR syllabus J562. All students enter for GCSE Mathematics. This will be either the unit syllabus or the new linear specification offered by OCR. Able pupils are taught in accelerated groups in year 10  and are then entered for G.C.S.E. a year early. In Year 11 the accelerated groups are taught GCSE Additional Mathematics.

K.S. 5

Post 16 sees an increased uptake of single and further mathematics. A level students follow the MEI syllabuses in Mathematics and Further Mathematics, supported by the corresponding MEI module textbooks. The department is active in other areas of the Post 16 curriculum, contributing to the vocational, Diploma and ICT programmes.

Every Child Matters

The department works closely with colleagues from the Special Needs Department and the co-ordinator for gifted and talented students. The department makes Special Needs provision for students in Year 7 -11 and offers other support to pupils as appropriate.

Independent Learning and ICT

The department is committed to integrating ICT within the mathematics teaching. In addition to ad-hoc access to ICT resources during lessons, regular blocks of teaching time are set aside throughout Key Stage 3 and 4 to allow particular topics to be taught in computing suites. The department is in the process of developing comprehensive teaching resources and support on the college intranet.

Specialist Status: more diversity and support.

For the last 6 years the department has appointed additional staffing to provide targeted support for underachieving pupils at K.S.3 including one to one mathematics help. Smaller class sizes are evident at KS 4 particularly in the C/D borderline classes. Additional non-contact time is available for a number of other initiatives taking place within the department such as using Post 16 students as mentors and parent/student Maths classes in Year 7. We also work very closely with our 14 partner primary schools where much work is being done on transition and with the gifted and talented students.

Linda Binks: Head of Maths Email: linda.binks@exmouthcollege.devon.sch.uk