We aim:

To instil in pupils an appreciation of how fascinating, creative, satisfying and useful Mathematics can be.

What staff and facilities are available to the department?

The department is staffed by ten members of staff and occupies nine full-size classrooms. The department is well supplied with computers, interactive whiteboards and other practical equipment.

How much time will I spend on this subject per ten day cycle?

• Lower School: 6 lessons (6 hours) with up to 2 hours of homework.
• GCSE: 5 lessons (5 hours) with 2 hours of homework.
• A Level: 10 lessons (10 hours) with at least 3 hours of individual study per week.

Are pupils put into sets according to ability?

All pupils accepted for Stockport Grammar School have passed a stringent mathematical examination. For the first 2 years, the pupils are taught in randomly chosen groups. At the beginning of the Third Year, however, there is a noticeable spread of ability. Although all pupils have a sufficient level of competency, there seems no upper limit to the ability of a significant number of our intake. Therefore it is our policy to set according to mathematical progress from the Third Year onwards. Transfer between sets is possible at the end of each subsequent year.

What can you offer the gifted pupil?

All the teachers in the Mathematics department are experienced in dealing with gifted pupils, and every year Stockport Grammar attracts a significant number of particularly able boys and girls. Puzzle Club has lunchtime meetings that are relaxed but thought-provoking. The text books we use go well beyond public examination syllabuses, and we have a wealth of challenging material for those who make outstanding progress. Each year we hold inter-form team competitions with the winners going on to represent the school in a national event. The United Kingdom Mathematics Trust (UKMT) organizes annual Mathematics Challenges for Junior, Intermediate and Senior age groups and we enter large numbers of candidates, many of whom are invited to take part in follow-up rounds. The UKMT has recently instigated a mentoring scheme for truly exceptional pupils, and several teachers in the department are already supervising individuals working from monthly problems sheets.

What is Mathematics in the Lower School like?

We hope pupils will settle into the school quickly, and at first we will revise a number of topics, like fractions and decimals, which pupils will have covered at Junior School. However, for all pupils who need minimal revision, we have lots of extension material, puzzle sheets and investigations, to keep everyone stimulated and stretched. Very soon, however, we launch into the teaching of algebraic techniques.

Can I use a calculator?

The use of calculators is not encouraged until midway through the Second Year, because we expect our pupils to be very good at mental and pencil-and-paper arithmetic.

What options are available to Sixth Form Mathematicians?

Our Sixth Formers take the OCR Mathematics course. This comprises of six units which make up one A Level, four of which must be Pure Mathematics. The other two are selected from units in Mechanics, Statistics and Discrete Maths.

How good do you have to be to do Maths at A Level?

It is recommended that all students taking Mathematics at A Level have a grade A or A* at GCSE. The vast majority of candidates at Stockport Grammar School are in this category, which enables us to make fast progress and teach beyond the syllabus.

Can I do Further Maths?

It is possible to study two A Levels in Maths. One could be called Single Maths and the second Further Maths. Twelve different units must be chosen in total, seven from Pure, four from Mechanics, four from Statistics and two from Discrete. Further Maths should not be found more difficult than any other subject, but having gone into such depth, the student should not encounter difficulty with Single Maths.

Do any of your A Level Maths pupils go on to study Maths at University?

Maths is a versatile subject and affords a sound training in a logical discipline. Those wishing to read Maths and most forms of Engineering at university are advised to study both Maths and Further Maths at A Level. Pupils who have studied Further Maths in the past have gone on to read subjects such as Maths, Engineering, IT, Chemistry and Economics. A number of students are prepared for entrance to Oxford and Cambridge Universities. Oxford requires prospective Mathematics, Computer Science and Physics candidates to sit formal Maths entrance examinations. The Cambridge Colleges make use of their Sixth Term Entrance Papers (STEP) for Maths candidates.

What else goes on?

We regularly have pupils who qualify for the British Mathematical Olympiad at Junior, Intermediate and Senior levels. We provide encouragement in school for suitable candidates. For several years now we have had representatives in the UK National squad and one has made the team itself. The junior competition provides a challenge for the brightest pupils in the first two years.

Puzzle Club is open to all First and Second Year pupils. Activities are designed to suit all abilities and interests and range from solving riddles, playing strategy games and finding your way through maddening mazes to more creative activities such as making fractals, drawing curves of pursuit, making pop-up cards and even plaiting polyhedra!