At Beechen Cliff we follow the Secondary Strategy across all Key Stages.  We have always had a strong emphasis on developing mental arithmetic skills as these are vital for pupils to achieve success in SATS, GCSEs and beyond. During the five years between entry to the school and GCSE the nature of mathematics changes from a largely arithmetical subject to one which, at the highest level, is firmly rooted in algebra, geometry and statistical methods. There is a strong focus on clearly showing mathematical methods as the subject develops. Mathematics is used across many aspects of the curriculum. We encourage pupils to think about the subject in terms of their own enjoyment and progress, as well as for its use in other subjects and in aspects of present-day life.  The ability to apply mathematics is a testable skill in the National Curriculum. Part of our teaching strategies are designed to help pupils achieve examination skills and gain confidence in the use of the subject.

Assessment is an important part of our teaching and learning strategy.  Pupils are internally assessed regularly and the progress of pupils is carefully monitored.  All pupils sit the statutory external examinations of KS3 SATs at the end of Year 9 and GCSE examinations during Years 10 and 11.  Maths sets are reassessed regularly based on overall progress in class work, homework and formal assessments.

• In Year 7 pupils are placed into banded teaching sets based on KS2 SATs information from Primary and Junior Schools.  In Years 8 and 9 there are two top sets, two middle sets and two lower sets.
• In Years 10 and 11 we have 7 sets.  Higher tier pupils are entered for a linear GCSE course and Foundation tier pupils for a modular GCSE course.  As of September 2007 coursework is no longer part of the GCSE course.
• The AS and A2 courses are modular.  Pupils complete 3 modules in the L6 and complete an AS level in Mathematics.   They can choose to then complete 3 A2 modules in the U6 leading to a full A level.   Most pupils go on to take the full two year course.  Courses are also provided for retaking GCSE.
• We have also had success with very able mathematicians taking A level, Further Maths and the Extension examination for Oxford and Cambridge University Applications.

Pupils achieve very well in Maths at Beechen Cliff School.  In 2007 over 91% of pupils achieved level 5 and above in their KS3 SATs and 20% achieved level 8.  At GCSE 80% of pupils achieved a grade C or above in Maths with 22% achieving an A* or A.

At A level we had a 100% pass rate and 79% of students achieved an A or B grade.

Mr T D Markall

Head of Mathematics