Ackworth School

Mathematics is the bridge between the arts and the sciences and is used across the whole curriculum. We aim, therefore, to give all pupils a good understanding and appreciation of the four areas of Number, Algebra, Geometry and Measure and Statistics. We hope to spark the pupils’ imagination, as well as develop their knowledge, spatial awareness and use of logical thought.

Mathematics has a spiral curriculum and so the textbooks we use help us to revise and extend prior subject knowledge. This is complemented by a wealth of other resources, enabling us to extend and encourage as appropriate. In the First Year pupils are taught in their Form groups for Mathematics, enabling us to get to know each child’s mathematical ability fully before they are placed in sets in the Second Year and the Third Year. There is movement between sets, if and when this is felt appropriate, and each set is taught the same material. Each teaching group is usually made up of between fifteen and twenty pupils.

In the Fourth and Fifth Year (Year 10 and Year 11), pupils are placed in four sets and follow the 2 tier linear specification for IGCSE with the Edexcel examination board. All sets start by following the Higher Tier specifications and the decision of which tier each student is entered at for public exams is made after the mock examinations in the January of the Fifth Form. Our International Centre students also follow the Edexcel IGCSE course in a year. There is an option for the most able pupils to study OCR Additional Mathematics in Year 11 as an extra-curricular activity.

Mathematics is a popular subject choice for Sixth Formers at Ackworth. In the Lower Sixth we have three groups following Mathematics AS using the OCR MEI Mathematics course and there is an average of about ten students in each group. The Further Mathematics group of between ten and fifteen students follows the OCR MEI Mathematics modules that lead to an AS in Further Mathematics. The Upper Sixth has two sets of between twelve and fifteen students following A2 Mathematics, continuing with the MEI modules. There is also a Further Mathematics group of about twelve students taking MEI modules to complete the Further Mathematics A2 qualification.

Some of our gifted students study extra modules to gain further additional Advanced Level qualifications. Some students enter a Sixth Term Entrance Paper (STEP) or an Advanced Extension Award (AEA) in Mathematics when this is felt appropriate or is necessary for their further studies.

Extra-curricular activities within the Mathematics Department include the UK Maths Challenge, which is entered by students throughout the School. There is a puzzle and board games club, open to all students, where different aspects of Maths are investigated. Workshops are available for anyone needing extra help from First Year up to and including the Sixth Form. There is also a club for students who enjoy code-breaking and ciphers. We also enjoy participating in the UKMT team challenge and the Leeds University pop quiz.