Mathematics is an essential form of communication and therefore is hugely important in our everyday life. It allows us to discover and understand relationships as well as finding solutions to problems. The Department aims to give students an appreciation and enthusiasm for Mathematics whilst recognising that it is continuously evolving with developments in technology and the ever-changing needs of our society. Our classes include individual, group and class based learning with a range of activities including problem-solving, practical, investigative, oral, written and ICT work.
Assessment
Students in all year groups are formally assessed on a half-termly basis with an exam at the end of each year to assess across all attainment areas. Routinely in lessons, staff assess students through, for example, questioning and by analysing completed work. We use this assessment data to enable us to adapt our teaching and intervene as appropriate.
Facilities
We have five classrooms dedicated to Mathematics, of which one is equipped with a class set of computers. We also have a set of laptops for use with Sixth Form classes.
Additional Activities
The Department offers a number of trips, such as Take Maths Further Day at Exeter University. We run a number of activities each year, such as a Year 9 Problem Solving Day and the Year 7 Maths Marathon. We also enter significant numbers of students each year for the individual and team National Maths Challenges.
Jurassic Maths Hub
The Woodroffe School is the lead school for the Jurassic Maths Hub, covering Dorset, Devon, Somerset and Wiltshire. The country is divided into 32 Hubs to improve the teaching and learning of mathematics through collaborative continuing professional development.
The Hub system is based on the principle that schools and other relevant bodies can work better together to improve mathematics. Each Hub is led by a school selected for its expertise in mathematics and ability to work effectively with other schools. All Hubs are therefore contributing to:
- Raising achievement in Maths
- Improving the Maths teaching workforece
- Increasing participation in Maths post-16
- Improving attitudes towards Maths
For pupils this should mean that there are improved levels of achievement, participation and attitudes to learning.
Neil Vincent is the Maths Lead for the Hub. They are supported by a Steering Group comprising leading primary and secondary schools from Devon, Dorset and Somerset, plus Exeter University, the Further Matheamtics Network and County Advisors.
Current projects include:
- An exchange programme with Shanghai
- Improving post-16 participation
- Teachers working in small groups to improve targeted aspects of practice
- Developing an effective network among school mathematics leaders.
The Hub has its own website which you can view here.
Years 7-9
Students begin our five year programme of study. In Years 7-9 students study aspects of mathematics through a rich diet of active learning and problem solving tasks. Students are set into 3 bands by ability to enable all students to achieve their potential and to develop their confidence.
Years 10 & 11
Students develop their understanding, with a particular emphasis on being able to apply this to real-life problems. We use an in-house scheme of work that considers multiple aspects of mathematics together and often in an applied way in order to make the skills being learnt as relevant as possible. We currently use the Edexcel exam board with students taking a linear course, meaning all examinations are at the end of Year 11. Students are set based on their prior attainment and commitment.
Students have the opportunity to participate in individual and team maths challenge competitions. We also take students to events such as Take maths Further and invite in guest speakers.
Years 12 & 13
Students are able to study Mathematics and Further Mathematics A-level which combine pure maths, mechanics and statistics. For Mathematics students usually study modules called Core 1, Core 2 and Statistics 1 in Year 12, followed by Core 3, Core 4 and Mechanics 1 in Year 13. Those studying Further Mathematics take an additional six modules in pure maths, mechanics, statistics and an additional element of decision maths. We run Mathematics and Further Mathematics concurrently throughout Year 12 and 13.
Students have the opportunity to take part in individual and team competitions. We also take students to University events.
Miss Edmunds
Head of Maths
Ms Prince
Second in Maths
Mrs Adams
Maths
Miss Allen
Maths
Dr Murdoch
Maths & Science
Mrs Pethybridge
Maths
Mr Poole
Maths
Mrs Thompson
Maths