Staff
Mr T J Nicholson BA (Head of Department)
Mr B A Alldred MSc
Mr A E Dennis BSc
Mr W Elf BSc MA
Mr M D Richmond BSc
Mr M J Sherlock BSc
Aims
The aims of the Mathematics Department are to ensure that each boy, on leaving school, is numerate, has sufficient mathematical skills for his chosen career or further education and understands the mathematics likely to be encountered in daily life. In addition, we hope that the boys will acquire the logical qualities of the mathematician and develop an interest in the historical, recreational and cultural aspects of mathematics.
Outline or work
During the first three years all boys cover basic arithmetic, an introduction to algebra and its applications, summarising and organising data, an introduction to geometry, basic mensuration (areas and volumes) and graphical work including co-ordinates.
Boys are arranged into sets at the beginning of the Third Form, although movement between sets can take place at any time.
In the academic year 2006-7, for the first time, boys in the Fourth and Fifth Forms are studying the International GCSE, offered by the Edexcel Examination Board. Here boys will be introduced to trigonometry, set theory, some basic calculus and further development of the topics already studied in the first three years. There is no coursework with this specification. For further details visit www.edexcel.org
AS and A2 Mathematics and A Level Further Mathematics are offered in the Sixth and Seventh years. Two thirds of the modules studied at A Level are Pure Mathematics together with a choice of Mechanics or Mechanics/Statistics modules. Three further Pure Mathematics modules are studied for Further Mathematics plus a combination of three more Mechanics and/or Statistics modules.
Teaching methods and resources
The department has seven classrooms on the top corridor of the school. Mathematics is taught traditionally at BGSB. Interaction is encouraged and developed. There is access to the computer suite in the LRC. Most GCSE topics are taught from the STP NCM text books which are issued to each boy. At A Level the Heinemann texts based on the Edexcel specification are used. Homework is set three times a week in the lower school. Boys are regularly tested throughout the year and examinations are taken in the final term. Extra support is available through Mathematics clinics in the first year, plus lunchtime clinics available to all years. A further support class is offered at A Level.