Mathematics
Key Stage 3 - students are set from Year 7 but are closely monitored throughout their time in the school thus enabling changes to be made in the best interest of the pupil. The department actively embraces the Government's Maths Framework and all sets engage in investigative work and mental tests on a regular basis. Assessments at the beginning of each year allow individual targets to be set for each pupil, and their progress monitored using a personal profile. A personal profile is started when a girl enters the school in Year 7 and is updated after every topic test allowing staff to identify the level that a girl is working at in each strand of the curriculum. At the end of Year 9 the pupils sit the Key Stage 3 exams at a level suitable to their ability.
Key Stage 4 - during Years 10 and 11 the girls follow the GCSE syllabus from the AQA board at either the intermediate or higher level. Assessment is by both examination and coursework, one data handling and one investigational piece, each piece of coursework representing 10% of the final mark. Should a student show an aptitude for mathematics they may be invited to study for an additional GCSE qualification in Statistics. This complements the work studied at the higher level and is assessed by both examination and coursework.
AS and A2 level- the department follows the AQA modular course at both AS and A2 level. This allows us to meet the needs of almost any student or combination of subjects they choose. The girls are able to choose from a variety of courses including:
- Pure Statistics
- Pure and Statistics Pure and Mechanics
Pupils studying subjects such as economics, geography, sport studies, psychology and all sciences find that mathematics or statistics support these subjects particularly well.
Extra-curricular Maths- at the Marist we believe that mathematics exists beyond the classroom walls and endeavor to provide as much opportunity to take the subject outside school as possible.
Off-site courses - In Year 8 the girls take part in a two/three day practical maths course, held mainly off site which allows them to put some of the theory they have learned into practice. In addition to this all the girls have the opportunity to take part in competitions and classes organised by outside bodies.
Maths Marathon - All of Year 7 participate in the Maths Marathon organised by South East Berkshire Education Business Partnership. After three rounds of mathematical problems and puzzles, one girl is chosen to represent the school at the final. The school takes part in the annual Maths Challenges provided by the United Kingdom Maths Trust (UKMT). We invite pupils from Years 7 and 8 to enter the Junior Challenge, pupils from Years 10 and 11 to enter the Intermediate Challenge, and those in the sixth form studying mathematics to take part in the Senior Challenge. This competition is aimed at the top 35% of pupils in the country and we are very proud of the results achieved by the girls at the Marist where over 47% of those entered receive certificates compared with the national average of 40%.
Maths Trust - A team consisting of two pupils from Year 8 and two from Year 9 were also invited to take part in a new competition from the United Kingdom Maths Trust. Pupils from Year 9 have also been selected to attend a series of Maths Master classes given by various University lecturers in the area. Pupils studying mathematics or statistics in the sixth form will have the opportunity to attend lectures or workshops to help them with their studies.