Mathematics

Plymstock School Mathematics Department

The Mathematics Department is one of the largest in the School, housed on the ground floor of a purpose-built block, opened in 2004.  We have 10 teaching rooms, 3 of which are equipped with Smart boards and the others with projectors, an ICT suite, almost exclusively for our own use, and a staff work room.  We employ 10 full time teachers, 2 part-time, a faculty assistant, and several other members of staff also teach within the Department.

The Mathematics Department is committed to providing excellent teaching and endeavours to ensure that all students achieve their potential in Mathematics at all levels.

Plymstock School has a 50 period fortnight of hour long lessons.  Students are allocated 6 periods of Mathematics a fortnight at Key Stage 3, 7 hours at Key Stage 4, and 10 at Key Stage 5.  We set classes according to ability and students enter for Edexcel GCSE and A-level examinations.  Our results are consistently above the national average; our GCSE grades A* – C was 70% for Mathematics, and our Key Stage 5 grades A – E  was 100% in 2010.

Mathematics, as a core subject, follows the Framework for teaching Mathematics. Currently in Year 7, students receive 6 hours of teaching over a two-week timetable. In Years 8, 9, 10 and 11 they receive 7 hours over a two-week timetable.

In all years students are taught in sets according to their attainment. Year 7 setting is based on Key Stage 2 attainment in the SAT examinations. Year 8 and 9 setting is based on Key Stage 2 scores, Mathematics Department test scores, the QCA Optional Test scores and teacher assessment. In Years 10 and 11 setting is based on their Key Stage 3 attainment levels. Student progress is tracked on a department spreadsheet throughout their careers at Plymstock.

At GCSE students follow the EDEXCEL GCSE specifications either studying the higher or foundation courses. In Years 10 and 11 there are 12 classes which means that class sizes can be reduced at this important time in the studentsí education. All students are entered for GCSE mathematics.

At Key Stage 5 students also follow the EDEXCEL modular specifications and can study AS and A2 Mathematics and AS and A2 Further Mathematics with the opportunity to study modules in Pure Mathematics, Statistics, Mechanics and Decision Mathematics.

The main aim of the Mathematics Department is that all students should reach their full potential in Mathematics, developing confidence and enjoyment in a variety of mathematical experiences.

Our priorities as a Department are to: continue to develop Key Stage 3, to continue to offer support and revision sessions to both Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 and to continue to improve our results at GCSE and A Level.

Gifted and Talented

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