In the Maths department at Aldenham, we aim to encourage allpupils to enjoy studying this subject, to achieve as full an understanding of its rich simplicities as they are able, and to maximise their potential in examinations. The department has five full time members of staff and five part-time members, most teaching across a wide age range.

The subject is setted throughout the School. On arrival in Year 7 or Year 9 particular emphasis is placed on establishing the basic skills and reviewing previous work while the more capable pupils progress further. In the first four years set changes are readily made so that boys and girlsend up entering GCSE at the most appropriate level for them.

The Edexcel courses are followed exclusively, the department having worked with this Board for many years and having followed the development of their GCSE and A-level courses while making full use of Edexcel support services and materials.

Edexcel GCSE

The teaching is predominantly whole class teaching along traditional lines following the National Curriculum. Set sizes are at most 22/23 with the lowest sets smaller where possible to allow closer monitoringwhere needed.Support teaching is also available. In the new two-tier GCSE course most students will be entered for the Higher Tier. This consists of two written papers of 105 minutes duration each, one of which is a non-calculator paper. Coursework is no longer a requirement for GCSE Mathematics. Throughout the course non-calculator techniques are practised and encouraged alongside sensible use of the calculator.

In the Sixth Form the course in the First year consists of three AS units; Core Mathematics 1and 2 and Statistics 1, leading to an AS qualification in Applied Mathematics through three 1½ hour written examinations. This is an attractive course for those who will only study AS to back up their other subjects while forming a good foundation for those continuing into the second year with units Core Mathematics 3 and 4 and Mechanics 1. These complete the requirement for A2 level Mathematics. Ambitious and able mathematicians follow a course which leads to both A2 level Mathematics and A2 level Further Mathematics, the teaching time being that for two subjects but the subjects are studied consecutively, one in each year. This course is suitable for students wishing to study Mathematics or Engineering at University. The single A2 level mathematicians study a range of subjects, their Mathematics providing useful back-up.

Outdoor Maths lesson - learning how to dissect an angle!

Mathematics classes make use of ICT both in the classroom and in the IT Centre and also the methods and resources from the National Numeracy Strategy Framework for Mathematics teaching at KS3.