Mathematics Department

Departmental Staff

  • T Convie (Head of GCSE and A-level)
  • N Glackin (Head of KS3)
  • B Killen
  • S Monan
  • M McNamee
  • C McHugh
  • A Walsh
  • J White

Introduction

Mathematics is a subject that opens doors and provides opportunities: doors to employment and further/higher educational courses and opportunities to learn about the relevance of mathematics to everyday life.

Mathematics is all around us. It exists in the proportions of artistic works, in the scores of our favourite songs and in the physical structures we live and work in daily. It is also the bedrock of many other subjects including the Sciences, Economics and Engineering and is extremely relevant to subjects like Psychology and Design.

The study of mathematics can develop a host of skills that are essential to students continuing in their studies as well as those currently in or entering the workplace. These include problem-solving, logic and reasoning, and attention to detail. Mathematics can also lead to careers in finance, business, IT and teaching, among others.

The word Maths, along with mathematical symbols, written on a green chalkboard

The following topics are taught during years 8, 9 and 10. Assessments are conducted at Halloween, Christmas, March and End of Year.

The year 8 topics:

  1. Rounding Numbers
  2. Properties of Numbers
  3. Co-ordinates
  4. Fractions, Decimals & Percentages
  5. Negative Numbers
  6. Problem Solving 1
  7. Fractions
  8. Decimals
  9. Percentages
  10. Order of Operations – BIDMAS
  11. Using a Calculator
  12. Problem Solving 2
  13. Rules of Algebra
  14. Solving Equations
  15. Substitution into Formulae
  16. Direct Proportion
  17. Angles
  18. Pie Charts
  19. Problem Solving 3
  20. Perimeter, Area and Volume
  21. Straight Line Graphs
  22. Metric and Imperial Units
  23. Averages and Range
  24. Probability
  25. Problem Solving 4
  26. Rotational Symmetry
  27. 3D Objects and Nets

 

The year 9 topics:

  1. Negative Numbers
  2. Sequences and Formulae
  3. Formulae and Expressions
  4. Pythagoras’ Theorem
  5. Properties of Numbers
  6. Problem Solving 1
  7. Rules of Algebra
  8. Solving Equations with Brackets
  9. Area
  10. Percentage Change
  11. Drawing Graphs
  12. Problem Solving 2
  13. Fractions
  14. Bearings and Scale Drawing
  15. Constructing Triangles
  16. The circle
  17. Volume
  18. Problem Solving 3
  19. Reflection
  20. Enlargement
  21. Rotation
  22. Translation
  23. Ratio and Proportion
  24. Averages
  25. Scatter Graphs & Line of Best Fit
  26. Problem Solving 4
  27. Probability
  28. Stem and Leaf Diagrams
  29. Calculations with Decimals
  30. Using a Calculator and BIDMAS

 

The year 10 topics:

  1. Rounding, Estimating, Upper and Lower bounds
  2. Money Matters
  3. Speed, Distance and Time
  4. Rules of Algebra
  5. Solving Equations
  6. Problem Solving 1
  7. Indices
  8. Averages
  9. Trigonometry
  10. Percentage change / Reverse percentages
  11. Area and Volume
  12. Changing the Subject
  13. Problem Solving 2
  14. Factorising
  15. Solving Quadratic Equations
  16. Fractions
  17. Simple Algebraic Fractions
  18. Standard Form
  19. Simultaneous Equations
  20. Problem Solving 3
  21. Compound Interest
  22. Relative Frequency
  23. Trial and Improvement
  24. Gradient and y=mx+c
  25. Angles in Polygons
  26. Inequalities
  27. Travel Graphs
  28. Problem Solving 4

After studying KS3 Mathematics, pupils are able to study GCSE Mathematics, developing into GCSE Further Mathematics, A-level Mathematics and A-level Further Mathematics.

maths 1