Mathematics at Ampleforth
The Department has seven full time mathematicians and one who teaches part-time in the department. The department is well resourced for the teaching of Mathematics, having its own suite of rooms, a departmental office and access to computing classrooms. Each Mathematics classroom has its own computer which is on the school network and linked to the Internet. Classrooms have computer projection facilities for teaching purposes. Students and staff have access to the full range of software relevant to the teaching of mathematics - spreadsheets and graph plotting packages are in regular use by students and staff, and such use is properly integrated into our teaching programme.
On entry to the school the students embark on a three year mathematics programme leading to the GCSE. First year students are approximately sorted into ability sets on arrival, based on information available to us from their entrance examination and from their previous schools. They have, more or less, a common programme to half term when we re-assess them and make adjustments to the sets as necessary. The top set have a specially enhanced programme designed to make strong academic demands on them and to further their interest and enthusiasm for the subject-their programme will lead to GCSE Mathematics and, for a number of them, Additional Mathematics. Sets are streamed by ability throughout the Middle School, and constant watch on progress is maintained, together with set movements if appropriate. Class sizes in the Middle school never exceed 25, and we always maintain a smaller set of about 12 students for those who have difficulties with Mathematics. Investigative and exploratory work is encouraged in the learning of Mathematics, together of course with strong emphasis on the essential algebraic, numeric and geometric skills so vital to success within mathematics itself, and within other subject areas where mathematics is used.
In the Sixth Form we usally run four or five teaching sets. We have a strong top set of able students which has an enhanced programme in addition to the full A level - most of these students will also take an A or AS level in Further Mathematics, and we are keen to encourage them to do so. We encourage the students in this set to take the Advanced Extension Award, and prepare them for this examination through the two year programme. There is additional support for those seeking admission to Oxford or Cambridge.
A-level sets are normally 10 to 15 strong, and again are approximately set by ability. Students are encouraged to develop self discipline in their studies, and to take on an increasing responsibility for their own learning. The staff in the department are very supportive of all students, the result being an unusually low drop out rate at A level and a low failure rate at both A level and at GCSE. Examination results are excellent.
We always enter students for the National Mathematics Competitions, both in the Sixth Form and the Middle School. We run mathematics clubs at both senior and junior level. At GCSE level and at A2 and AS we enter our candidates for the examinations of the AQA
Mathematics is a popular subject in the school, with a growing proportion wishing to continue studying the subject into the sixth form. Awareness of the wide applicability of Mathematics has been enhanced by invited speakers from Universities, and occasionally Industry, giving lectures on such diverse themes as Chaos Theory, Infinity, Catastrophe Theory, The Mathematics of Investment, Decision Making, Mathematics in forecasting weather and climate.