Mathematics

Departmental Staff

_

Head of Department: Mr M McKey

  • Mr E Hollywood
  • Miss U McLaughlin
  • Mrs B McArdle
  • Miss A Kearney
  • Mrs L Hollywood
  • Mrs M Laverty
  • Mrs E Cahill
  • Mr M Canavan
_
With six  general-purpose classrooms, two fully-equipped ICT rooms and nine dedicated full-time staff, the Mathematics department is well-equipped to offer courses in Key Stage 3, GCSE Mathematics, Vocational, AS and A Level Mathematics

_

Curriculum

KS3 (Year 8,9 & 10)

_

The present year 10 students will be the last to follow the Key Stage 3 programme, in its current format.

The out-going system consists of two written papers and a mental Maths paper. The papers a student sits determines their level:

Paper 1 = Level 3

Paper 1 & 2 = level 3,4,5

Paper 2 & 3 = Level 4,5,6

Paper 3 & 4 = Level 5,6,7

Paper 4&5 = Level 6,7,8

 

From September 2012 the existing system of sitting two linear papers will be replaced by a series of controlled assessment, taken in the first two terms of year 10.

 

Below is a Guide to Assessment, if you want further information you can click on the link below which will take you to the CCEA website: Click Here

_

GCSE (Years 11 & 12)

_

At GCSE students sit examinations under the auspices of the AQA examinations board. For the current year 11 and year 12 students, this involves 3 units.  Each unit may be taken at, either, Foundation or Higher level.

 

The weightings for each unit are as follows:

Unit 1: Number & Statistics (Calc)

  • Marks: 54
  • Percentage: 26.7%
  • UMS: 80

Unit 2: Number & Algebra (Non-Calc)

  • Marks: 66
  • Percentage: 33.3%
  • UMS: 100

Unir 3: Geometry & Algebra (Calc)

  • Marks:  80
  • Percentage: 40%
  • UMS: 120

 

How are papers constructed?

Unit 1: Number & Statistics (Calc)

  • Number – 14 Marks
  • Statistics – 40 Marks = Total 54

1 Hour Exam

Unit 2 (Foundation): Number & Algebra (Non-Calc)

  • Number – 44 Marks
  • Algebra – 22 Marks = Total 66

1 Hour  15 mins

Unit 2 (Higher): Number & Algebra (Non-Calc)

  • Number – 25 Marks
  • Algebra – 41 Marks = Total 66

1 Hour 15 mins

Unit 3 (Foundation): Number, Algebra & Geometry

  • Number – 15 Marks
  • Algebra – 15 Marks
  • Geometry – 50 Marks = Total 80

1 Hour 30 mins

 

Notes:

40% must be done on completion, therefore Unit 3 must be done at the end, however Unit 3 is not a Terminal paper and therefore the tier of entry of Unit 3 will not determine final grade.

From September 2012, GCSE Maths will return to linear examinations, with pupils studying for two years and then, taking two written papers at the end of their year 12.

For further information, including syllabus and past papers/marking schemes visit the AQA website at: www.aqa.co.uk

 

A Level (Year 13 & 14)

_

A level Mathematics involves 6 units.  The first 3 units may be taken as an AS level.

 

In year 13 students will study modules:

Core 1, Core 2 and Mechanics 1/Statistics 1

In year 14 students will study modules:

Core 3, Core 4 and Statistics 1/Mechanics 1

 

For further information, including syllabus and past papers/marking schemes visit the EDEXCEL website at:  www.edexcel.co.uk