Mathematics

Mathematics is a very popular subject at all levels in the Senior Department at Ockbrook School. In Years 7 and 8 our emphasis is to help the girls enjoy the subject and to build up their confidence with Basic Numeracy, Geometry, Algebra and Problem Solving. We have just introduced the New Maths Framework course to our Year 7 and they will continue to follow this course into Year 8. All pupils start following the OCR GCSE course in Year 9 giving plenty of time to work through the course, consolidate understanding and also look at Mathematics in the Real World and Problem Solving. We feel that it is important for our students to understand the relevance and importance of their Mathematics qualification.

Mathematics is one of the subjects most commonly chosen for study at A Level with more than 50% of our students continuing the subject in Year 12. We follow the Edexcel modular A Level course which currently consists of six modules, four of which cover the Pure Mathematical topics of Coordinate Geometry, Trigonometry and Calculus. For our Applied module, the students study Statistics in Year 12 and Mechanics in Year 13, giving them a broad experience of all areas of the subject and an insight into the mathematics needed at degree level for subjects including Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography and Psychology.

Some students choose to study Mathematics up to AS Level to support them with the rest of their studies. Others choose to follow the Further Mathematics course in addition to their normal Mathematics A Level. After completing six modules in Year 12 which form one A Level, they then follow another six modules in Year 13 consisting of two or three extra Pure modules and three or four Applied modules depending on the strengths of the candidates. These will involve Decision Mathematics as well as a further module in Statistics and Mechanics. This gives the students excellent grounding for studying Mathematics at university and is crucial for entry into the highest universities including Oxbridge.

In addition to our curriculum mathematics all students are encouraged to enter the UKMT Mathematical Challenge at Junior, Intermediate or Senior Level. For the past three years we have also entered a team of girls from Years 8 and 9 in the Junior Team Mathematical Challenge and this year will be entering a team of Year 11 and Sixth Form in the new Senior Team Mathematical Challenge.