Maths

The department aims to develop confidence, interest and enjoyment in mathematics.

We use a variety of up-to-date teaching methods and resources to engage pupils and relate their mathematical knowledge to everyday life around them. The school subscribes to the mathematics website MyMaths which allows pupils to access topic-based worksheets and interactive lessons at home as well as school. These can be used to reinforce their understanding and is an excellent revision tool. They each have a personal login and can track their progress throughout the year. At Key Stage 4 we use Mathswatch, another interactive website with videos on all the topics covered at GCSE. All Learning Plans in Year 10 have the relevant Mathswatch video clip numbers written on them each week.


 

At Key Stage 3

Pupils follow the Mathematics Programme of Study. The aims of this curriculum are to ensure that all pupils:

 

  • become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics through varied and frequent practice with increasingly complex problems over time, so that pupils develop conceptual understanding and the ability to recall and apply knowledge rapidly and accurately.
  • reason mathematically by following a line of enquiry, conjecturing relationships and generalisations, and developing an argument, justification or proof using mathematical language.
  • can solve problems by applying their mathematics to a variety of routine and non-routine problems with increasing sophistication, including breaking down problems into a series of simpler steps and persevering in seeking solutions.

Homework at KS3 is set on MyMaths every week.


Key Stage 4

At Key Stage 4, pupils follow the WJEC GCSE scheme of work (from current Year 10), which is assessed at the end of Year 11.There are three tiers of entry - Foundation, Intermediate and Higher. The final tier of entry for individual pupils is made after the mock exams in Year 11. Support is provided for GCSE pupils through intervention groups, after school revision and holiday revision.

Homework at KS4 is made up of revision homework, which is followed by a short test in class, or past paper questions.

Level 2 Additional Mathematics

Pupils in our top set GCSE class will be given the opportunity to study for an extra qualification in Additional Mathematics. This course provides an excellent preparation for AS-level study of Mathematics. It is designed for those students who will achieve grades A and A* in GCSE Mathematics. The content covers the areas of algebra and geometry, gives an introduction to calculus and develops further skills in trigonometry, functions and graphs.

Enrichment

Within the Mathematics department, we are keen to promote enjoyment and excitement in mathematics. The UK Mathematics Trust Individual Maths Challenges are lively, intriguing multiple-choice question papers, which are designed to stimulate interest in maths in large numbers of pupils. We enter pupils from Year 8 and Year 10 every year, with many gaining bronze, silver or gold certificates.

We also enter two teams of Year 10 pupils into the Gwe Mathematics Challenge which is an inter-schools competition in North Wales.

PHS holds three year 5/6 more able and talented mornings throughout the year, in which primary school pupils come in and work on maths problems.

Resources

 

AS/A Level past papers [sdm_download id="2243" fancy="0"]

AS/A Level Answers [sdm_download id="2245" fancy="0"]

Staff

  • Miss E Morley (Head of Department and KS4 co-ordinator)

  • Curriculum Leader is now Ms M J Ward

  • Mr D Edwards (Second in Department and KS3 co-ordinator)

  • Ms C Barnard (KS5 co-ordinator)

  • Ms A Bristow (Numeracy co-ordinator)

  • Miss E Duffy

  • Miss E Edwards

  • Mrs Z Gorton

  • Mr A Hall

  • Mrs E Lett

  • Miss C Madoc-Jones

  • Mrs S Priest

  • Mrs N Rhodes

  • Mr B Whiteley

  • Miss K Williams