Mathematics at Glenalmond College

Maths "Maths is the best subject when you understand it and get the question right" - quote from fourth form maths pupil.

Maths Department Information

The aim of the maths department is to present maths in an interesting, fun and informative manner.

Location

The Mathematics Department is situated in five dedicated rooms all equipped with digital projectors and 4 with interactive whiteboards. Two rooms are available for individual tuition for pupils who need extra support. Classes have regular access to the computer room on the floor above which has 25 computers.

Setting

Pupils are set in ability groups in forms 3-7. This is not a rigid process and movement between the groups is possible at various stages during the year or at the end of the year if it becomes clear that another set would be a better match for their pace or learning needs.

Assessment for Learning

The department aims to embed Assessment for Learning techniques in their teaching. Pupils learn how to assess their own progress and take responsibility for their learning with a greater understanding of their own strengths and weaknesses.

We have joined the MyMaths programme which pupils can use individually to review any topic or teach themselves if they are absent. This now covers GCSE and all A level modules and has some self-test questions at the end of each topic.

We also have subscriptions for MathsNet for both A level and GCSE. This enables pupils to try examination style questions across the syllabus and then check their answers step by step. They can also compile their own individualised tests and have mark schemes to match. This even covers most Further Maths modules.

ICT

Staff use interactive whiteboards and digital projectors to present topics visually especially using Omnigraph, Autograph and Cabri. Pupils are keen users of Omnigraph to explore graphs and analyse statistics with Autograph and Excel.

The department has 20 Texas Nspire Graphic Calculators along with a wireless Navigator link. These are used by pupils to explore graphs, algebra and statistics. For Further Maths A level the Nspire calculators are used for complex numbers, matrices and polar or parametric graphs.

A Promethean hand-held voting class set is also available and is increasingly used to engage pupils and gauge their level of understanding.

Use MyMaths.co.uk

Syllabus

Second Form

A small number of pupils enter the school aged 12 and the aim is to cover topics similar to pupils who will be sudying for Common Entrance. They are taught together in a mixed ability group with differentiated content. We put an emphasis on gaining a solid foundation in numerical and algebraic skills with investigations and puzzles to make mathematics interesting and fun. Extension work is provided for gifted mathematicians and extra support is available for those who find mathematics difficult.

Forms 3-5

All pupils begin the GCSE syllabus in Form 3, which provides continuity and plenty of time to prepare thoroughly for obtaining a good grade in GCSE mathematics by the time they sit the examination in Form 5. The third form year is spent making sure that the Foundation level GCSE topics are securely understood and that pupil's algebra is developed well enough to cope with the algebra needed for higher Tier GCSE in Forms 4 and 5.

Currently almost all pupils take Edexcel Higher Tier GCSE Maths linear syllabus A with only a few pupils working their way up through Entry Level Certificates with the support of the LSU.

The top set in fifth form also tackles more challenging work in the form of Edexcel C1 pure maths work for AS-level.

A level

Sixth form pupils study modules of Mathematics and Further Mathematics following the Edexcel Modular A level. Most years over half of the sixth form take maths in 4 sets. One group takes an express route and does the full A level and also AS Further Maths in the time allocation of one A level over the two years in sixth form.

A group of around 8 pupils who plan to take the full A level award in Further Maths have extra lessons to prepare for Mechanics modules and FP1-3.

All 18 modules are on offer either in class or by supported self study.

Those taking a single Maths A level will study C1, C2 and S1 in Lower Sixth and C3, C4 and M1 in Upper Sixth.

Able pupils are prepared for STEP examinations and scholarship mathematics.

Staff

Mrs Heather Yorston, BSc, MSc, PGCE (Head of Department)
Mr Martin Orviss BA MMath PGCE
Mr Mike Jeffers, BSc, PGCE (Housemaster of Reids)
Mr Mike Allnutt, BSc, Cert Ed (Director of Studies)
Mrs Sarah Sinclair, BSc, PGCE (Housemistress of Lothian)
Mr Patrick Erdal, BSc, PGCE (also teaches Economics)
Mr Ian Young, BSc, PGCE (individual tuition)

News

Examination Results

A2		Pupils	A*	A*/A	A*/B	A*/C	A*/D	A*/E
	2008	23		56.5	78.3	87	95.7	100
	2009	30		66.7	90	90	96.7	96.7
	2010	19	26	74	86	100
	2011	25	24	48	72	80	88	100

GCSE		Pupils	A*	A*/A	A*/B	A*/C
	2008	77	5.2	31.2	74	97.4
	2009	75	17	46	78	95
	2010	79	15	44	77	96
	2011	74	26	61	88	99

Previous Successes

A* success
On the first examinations in 2010 with the new A* grade Leo Li and Emily Pearson both achieved A*, A* in Maths and Further Maths A levels and Ewan Mackenzie-Smith and Tristan Doumen also achieved A* success in their single Maths A level.

Senior Maths Challenge 2009

In the Senior Maths Challenge Glenalmond achieved 3 Gold awards, 7 Silvers and 10 Bronzes. Our highest scorer, Jake Tsang, went on to the next round, the British Olympiad. In this very tough round he obtained a distinction coming in the top 25% nationally.

Intermediate Maths Challenge 2010

In the Intermediate Maths Challenge in February we obtained our highest ever number of awards gaining 6 Golds,17 Silvers and 20 Bronzes. As many of the Silver awards and one of the Gold awards were gained by the fourth form we look forward to their progress next year. Two students, Sarah Jane Dent and Archie Farquharson ( a third form Gold award) qualified for the Kangaroo rounds.

Gold Medal
Tim Pearson built on last year's success only dropping three marks this time on the first round and coming in the top 21 nationally in the Intermediate Maths Challenge. This led to his qualifying for the Intermediate Olympiad and in this round Tim came within the top 60 students nationally winning Glenalmond's first ever IMOK Gold Medal.