Mathematics
The Maths Department at UCA is dedicated to ensuring that all students achieve or exceed their targets in mathematics. The team of teaching staff are passionate about mathematics and endeavour to inst
il this enthusiasm for the subject amongst the students through engaging and challenging lessons.
The department is led by Susan Wilson, Head of Department, supported by Angela Angell, the Key Stage 4 coordinator and Liz Bullock, the Key Stage 3 coordinator. This experienced teaching team work to build strong foundations in all areas of mathematics at Key Stage 3 in preparation for the content and challenges of GCSE program in Key Stage 4. In Year 9, students consolidate the mathematics studied in Years 7 and 8 and learn new topics to develop their mathematical ability and raise their attainment. A key emphasis in Year 9 is on using and applying maths in a wide variety of real-life situations. Students will develop thinking skills through functional mathematics linked to topics of interest to the students. In Year 10 and 11, all students follow the Edexcel GCSE linear maths course.
The maths department is committed to researching and using new ways in which to engage students in their learning. For example, Playstations are used to consolidate and enhance learning in plenaries and Nintendo DSI brain training activities are used as an innovative way of hooking in the students at the beginning of lessons. Students are encouraged to work from home and the academy VLE has links to MyMaths and Mathswatch to support their studies.
Every half term the maths department puts forward students for the Principal’s List Awards and sets a Maths Puzzle of the Month Challenge. In addition, every Monday from 3pm-4pm, the maths department hosts a games club. Students can come and play Chess, Rumikub, learn a new card game or complete a variety of puzzles. There is even a beat the teacher challenge!
Cross curricular Numeracy links are developing across the whole academy and in conjunction with STEMNET, maths has joined with science to form a STEM club. UCA STEM Club runs every Thursday, from 3pm-4pm. This helps students discover more about the subjects through fabulous activities, competitions and visits to local businesses.
Achieving at least a “C” grade in mathematics is essential for many further education courses, apprenticeships and employment. Our aim, as a department, is to ensure that all students are equipped with the skills and confidence in Numeracy necessary for the work place and that students leave the academy with an ‘I can’ attitude to mathematics.
