Maths Department

On Friday the 20th of April, Bronagh and Genevieve went to Greenwich park ton talk about and sketch some of the buildings that have lines of symmetry. We learnt about different shapes and about reflective and rotational symmetry. We saw different landscapes and it really helped us with our symmetry because we were shown exactly what it looked like as symmetrical shapes are very useful. Overall, we all enjoyed the day.
Thanks to the teachers from the Maths department for organising the day for us.
Kimberly Moore

Mathematics is used throughout the world as an essential tool in many fields, including natural science, engineering, medicine, and the social sciences.

St Ursula’s has a Maths department of five specialist Maths teachers.

KS3 MATHEMATICS

In KS3, the Maths curriculum is split into 4 key units:

1. Algebra
2. Data Handling
3. Number
4. Shape, Space and Measure

Within the Algebra unit, girls will study the following topics:
Numbers and sequences, Expressions and formulae, Functions and Graphs Solving Equations- Linear and Quadratics and Problem Solving.

Within the Handling Data unit, girls will study the following topics:
Probability, Discussing, collecting, displaying and interpreting data.

Within the Number unit, girls will study the following topics:
Number calculations, Fractions, Decimals and Percentages, Ratio and Proportion, Laws of Indices, Standard Form and Estimation and rounding.

Within the Shape, space and measure unit, girls will study the following topics
Perimeter, Area and Volume of 2D and 3D Shapes, Angles in polygons, Transformation and congruence, Measures and measurements, Dimensions and scales, Pythagoras Theorem, Trigonometry and Circle Geometry.

GCSE MATHEMATICS

The GCSE Mathematics curriculum begins in the final half-term of Year 9 and the whole Year 11 cohort currently sit their full GCSE Maths in November of Year 11.

It is intended that all students will sit the Higher Tier GCSE. The GCSE consists of two papers: Non-Calculator and Calculator.

The course consists of four main areas: Number, Algebra, Data Handling and Shape, Space & Measures. There is also a Functional Skills element that is linked to each area. Functional Skills is designed to provide a practical application to many areas in Mathematics. Functional Skills has been included because employers find that the application of mathematics is very useful for many careers.

Year 10
In Year 10, the students are formally tested with recent GCSE Maths papers in December and June. The students are also encouraged to buy the MathsWatch CD for just £ 3 which includes excellent revision materials covering over 200 GCSE topics which are explained in detail by a virtual tutor. The CD also provides many practice questions and solutions which students find invaluable.

Year 11
The final preparation for their Maths GCSE exam takes place in the October half-term including a mock non-calculator and calculator exam.

The Maths GCSE results for the last three academic years are as follows:

AS Mathematics
In addition, the top set (which is students who achieved a Level 8 at the end of KS3), are invited to study AS Maths in conjunction with their GCSE Maths.

They will sit the C1 (non-calculator exam) in May of Year 10 and C2 and S1 in May of Year 11.