Welcome to the Mathematics Department

The Mathematics Department is large and successful team of 13 experienced specialist teachers.  The school has recently been awarded Specialist Status as a Mathematics and Computing college.  This exciting development is enabling us to extend and further enrich the mathematical experience of our students as well as leading to greater involvement with primary schools and the wider community.

Within the sixth form, Mathematics is extremely popular with over 200 students currently studying the subject at AS and A2 level. This includes 40 students following the increasingly popular Further Mathematics course. Significant numbers of the students continue their study of the subject beyond school level by choosing to study Mathematics and Mathematics related degree courses including Economics, Accounting, Physics and Engineering.

Whilst girls are at the school, there are many opportunities to be involved in extra-curricular and enriching mathematical activities. These include:

• Year 7 and 8 Junior Mathematics Challenge.
• Years 9 – 11 Intermediate Mathematics Challenge.
• Years 11 – 13 Senior Mathematics Challenge.
• A team of Year 12 and 13 students reached the National Final of the Senior Mathematics Team Challenge.
• Master classes at University of Hertfordshire for Year 9 students.
• “Hans Woyda” Inter School Mathematics Quiz.
• Junior Mathematics and Puzzle Club.
• Edge Hill Challenge for Year 9 students.
• Gifted and Talented Activity Days in Year 8 and 9 with other local schools.
  Lecture days in London for students.

In Year 7 the students are initially taught in form groups and then placed in sets during the first half term.  Setting continues to be used throughout the school up to and including Year 11. The Department sits public examinations set by the Edexcel examination board at both GCSE and A Level.

• Results are consistently outstanding at all levels, results from 2007 were:
  Key Stage 3: At the end of Year 9, the majority of students sat the level 6 – 8 National Curriculum tests. 91% achieving level 5 and above. 
• Key Stage 4: In Years 10 and 11, the vast majority of students follow the Higher Tier syllabus with a very small number taking Foundation Tier.  97% achieve A* to C and 64% A* and A grades.
• Key Stage 5: In the Sixth Form, the school offers AS and A2 courses in Mathematics and Further Mathematics with 63% achieving A and B grades at AS and 89% at A2 level. At Further Mathematics 78% of entries achieved an A or B grade.