Mathematics
The aim of the Mathematics Faculty is to ensure that all students achieve their potential in this core subject, equipping them with the skills required for modern adult life.
The faculty consists of a team of enthusiastic and committed members of staff. We are able to support each other closely and enjoy the opportunities offered to discuss and share good practice amongst the team whether informally or more formally during faculty meetings or INSET. The team are extremely proud of the performance of students in public examinations across all key stages. The curriculum is delivered in a range of different teaching styles but the Mathematics curriculum is chiefly taught via teacher-led discussion. Practical work, investigational work and the use of ICT is encouraged.
We are a National Support School. This means we support other schools in the area of Mathematics.
Teaching and Learning
The faculty operates a setting arrangement for the delivery of Mathematics at both KS3 and 4. Students entering Year 7 are immediately placed in groups according to their ability level making use of KS2 performance information.
Years 8 to 11 are also taught in setted groups ensuring appropriate pace and challenge for all abilities. Setting arrangements are constantly reviewed with student progress the chief concern.
The KS3 curriculum has been produced collaboratively and schemes of work have been created ensuring all students undertake work designed to prove accessible but challenging.
GCSE students follow the AQA Modular or Linear Mathematics GCSE. Our Year 9 students begin this after Easter allowing them to confidently tackle the first examination in November of Year 10. The Study Plus initiative supports the work of selected students in Years 10 and 11.
A-Level Mathematics is an increasingly popular course at Oldfield. A growing number of students follow the Edexcel course. Modules are currently offered in Core Mathematics, Mechanics and Statistics. Students can also take Further Maths at AS Level.
Students are assessed throughout all key stages and key test results are held centrally. These are used to track students’ progress towards their targets. All students are aware of these targets and our comment-based marking policy is intended to provide them with guidance regarding how to achieve those levels/grades.
Accommodation and Resources
Each specialist teacher in the faculty has their own teaching room. These are based in the main school building and are suited together. Each classroom has its own computer and printer and all classrooms are equipped with an interactive whiteboard and projector. The school network, internet and e-mail can be accessed from all classrooms.
The Faculty has a class set of laptop computers for use in the Maths classrooms with wireless access to the school's ICT network. There are four fully equipped ICT suites sited very close to the Mathematics classrooms. These are maintained by two ICT technicians and are easily available via a booking system. Computer packages used include Autograph and MyMaths. The faculty possesses a class set of graphical calculators which are used to support learning across all key stages. There is a sixth form study area within the faculty to assist the work of our A-Level students.
The Department
Mrs L England - Head of Faculty
Miss N Breaks - Teacher of Mathematics
Mr N Brooking - Teacher of Mathematics
Ms M Monaghan - Teacher of Mathematics
Mr A Saxton - Teacher of Mathematics
Mrs H Walsh - Teacher of Mathematics, Second in Faculty
