St. Mary's Grammar School, Magherafelt

Mathematics

General Aims

The Mathematics Department aims to develop, maintain and stimulate students' curiosity, interest and enjoyment in Mathematics.  We aim to teach in a meaningful context whilst providing opportunities for the students to use their skills creatively through problem solving and investigation.

Specific Aims

The Mathematics department aims to:

• develop, maintain and stimulate students' curiosity, interest and enjoyment in using Mathematics
• develop students to a suitable level of competence in a range of Mathematical skills
• encourage students to develop personal qualities such as, initiative, self-confidence and independence
• To develop students' understanding of Mathematics in it's widest context and see how it relates to themselves outside school
• To allow students' to develop skills which are transferable to other subjects.

Curriculum

KS3

Year 8 and 9
Pupils in Years 8 and 9 follow a taught Mathematics program with a provision of seven 50 minute periods per fortnight. The course aims to prepare students with appropriate Mathematical skills, in a wide range of application areas, to enable the effective use of ICT across all their subjects.

Year 10
Pupils in Years 8 and 9 follow a taught Mathematics program with a provision of eight 50 minute periods per fortnight All Year 10 students are entered for CCEA Key Stage 3 Examination It is the policy of the Mathematics Department, at present, to enter the two 'Accelerated' groups for Tier E and the remaining four groups at Tier D.

KS4

Five classes of pupils in Year 12 sitting GCSE Mathematics in June 2008 are entered for Higher Level Maths and one class is entered for Intermediate Level Maths. Two pieces of coursework are to be completed by pupils by the end of October 2007. Grades available for Higher Level Maths are A*-C. Grades available for Intermediate Level Maths are B-E.

All pupils in Year 11 sitting GCSE Mathematics in June 2009 are entered for the Modular Mathematics Examinations. Five classes of pupil will sit the N4 Module with finishing Paper N6, enabling them to achieve grades A*- D. One class will sit the N3 Module with finishing paper N6, enabling them to achieve grades A- E.
Two classes of pupils are entered for Additional Mathematics and follow both the GCSE Mathematics and Additional Mathematics courses concurrently.

The Mathematics department delivers Mathematics at both AS and A2 Levels. Each course is made up of 3 modules as outlined below:

AS

Module 1 - Core Module 1
This module covers half of the core Pure Mathematics material for the AS Exam, covering topics as; Algebra, Coordinate Geometry, Differentiation, and functions.  The Exam lasts for 90 minutes and candidates are not permitted to use a calculator.

Module 2 - Core Module 2
This module covers the remaining half of the core Pure Mathematics material for the AS Exam., covering topics such as; Logs, Sequence & Series, Trigonometry, Integration and Circle Geometry. The Exam lasts for 90 minutes and candidates are permitted to use a calculator.

Module 3 - Mechanics Module 1
Modeling and the application of Mathematics will be assessed in this module, covering topics such as; Kinematics, Force &acceleration, Momentum & Impulse and Moments. Knowledge of C1 and C2 will be assumed. The Exam lasts for 90 minutes and candidates are permitted to use a calculator.

A2

Module 4 - Core Module 3
This module covers half of the core Pure Mathematics material for the A2 Exam, covering topics such as; Algebra, Binomial Theorem, Trigonometry, Functions, Differentiation and Integration. The Exam lasts for 90 minutes and candidates are permitted to use a calculator.  Knowledge of C1 and C2 will be assumed.

Module 5 - Core Module 4
This module covers the remaining half of the core Pure Mathematics material for the A2 Exam, covering Trigonometry, Parametric Differentiation, Integration, Vectors and Functions.  The Exam lasts for 90 minutes and candidates are permitted to use a calculator. Knowledge of C1, C2 and C3 will be assumed.

Module 6 - Statistics Module 1
Modeling and the application of Mathematics will be assessed in this module, covering Statistical Measures, Probability, Discrete & Continuous Density Functions, and the Normal Distribution. The Exam lasts for 90 minutes and candidates are encouraged to use a graphics calculator.

Resources

There are 6 Mathematics Classrooms within the Mathematics Department, with one classroom being fully equipped with an interactive whiteboard and Computers for the students to excess a wide range of software, including; Geometry Inventor, Omnigraph, Spreadsheets, Logo, Internet, Learning Resources Area and LNI. The Mathematics Department also has an extensive range of practical resources and textbooks.