Maths

Learning mathematics gives children and young people access to the wider curriculum and the opportunity to pursue further studies which may lead to careers in fields including science, technology and engineering. It equips us with the skills we need to interpret and analyse information, simplify and solve problems, assess risk and make informed decisions.

Mathematics is rich and stimulating and offers learners of all ages the opportunity to solve problems, develop logical reasoning and think creatively, skills which are not only sought after by employers in today’s global economy, but are also essential life skills.


Staff

  • Mr F Bombart (Principal Teacher)

  • Mrs F McBride

  • Mr B Robertson

  • Mrs A McCulloch


Curriculum

Broad General Education (S1-S3)

Pupils are loosely set in S1 based upon the Curriculum for Excellence levels which they achieved in Primary 7. The vast majority of pupils tend to follow the level 3 course with a view to progressing to level 4 in S2. Some of our brighter students are fast-tracked to the subsequent level and are consequently able to sit National qualifications a year early. A loose setting process also takes place at the end of S1.

Lessons consist of 10 minute starters to consolidate key skills followed by expositions of concepts which are practised from textbooks, school-produced resources, interactive games and educational websites.

The use of ICT, practical problem-solving and investigative approaches are encouraged and are undertaken as group work.

As well as tackling the mathematical concepts associated with the experiences and outcomes which are based around: Number/Money/Measure, Shape/Position/Movement, Information Handling, pupils develop their research skills by means of projects relating to Famous Mathematicians, the role of Mathematics in the wider world, in-depth statistical analysis as well as cross-curricular/interdisciplinary tasks thereby gaining a further insight as to the relevance and importance of Mathematics in all aspects of life and the links between the subjects taught throughout the school.

Pupils’ understanding and retention of outcomes is regularly assessed, both formally and by means of comment-based feedback. At the end of each year, they also sit a comprehensive internal assessment to gauge their overall retention.

In S3, pupils are set according to ability and follow a broad general education course which, depending on their class will lead to either a National 4 or National 5 qualification. The structure and delivery of the curriculum is identical to that experienced in previous years.

During those first three years, homework consists of weekly short response questions, fortnightly formal homework sheets covering all aspects of topics as well as completion of some classwork and research tasks.

Senior Phase

S4

Based upon the results achieved in S3, pupils will either sit the National 4 or National 5 qualification. The first of these has no external examination at the end of S4 but students have to pass 4 unit assessments at various stages of the year (Approximate dates for their delivery are shown in brackets, in red) . These consist of a number of topics- usually 4- and their applications. They come under the headings:

  • Expressions and Formulae: Algebraic Skills, Geometric Skills, Statistical Skills, Reasoning Skills

  • Relationships: Algebraic Skills, Geometric Skills, Trigonometric Skills in Right-angled Triangles, Statistical Skills, Reasoning Skills

  • Numeracy: Real-life applications involving money, time and measurement

  • Added Value Units: Project-based applications of acquired skills

Should students fail any of the outcomes from these, they will be given a resit for these questions only following further revision. This, however, is the last chance for pupils to demonstrate competence in these areas as a fail upon this second attempt, according to SQA guidelines, results in either dropping down to National 3 or complete withdrawal from the course- provided an alternative subject can be studied.

The Added Value and Numeracy units incorporate aspects of Mathematics which permeate through other subjects. As such, evidence of these aspects may be gathered from other subject areas and collated in a folio prior to the formal internal assessment.

The National 5 course is externally assessed by means of an examination at the end of S4 but students still have to pass three internal assessments(with one resit option, should the need arise) as a pre-requisite to being able to sit this final exam. Again, the SQA specify that any student who fails any of these unit assessments after two attempts cannot be entered for the final exam and should be dropped down to National 4 or a suitable alternative. The three unit assessments come under the headings:

  • Expressions and Formulae: Numerical Skills, Geometric Skills, Reasoning Skills

  • Relationships: Algebraic Skills linked to Linear Relationships, Algebraic Skills linked to Quadratic Relationships, Geometric Skills, Trigonometric Skills, Reasoning Skills

  • Applications: Trigonometric Skills, Geometric Skills, Numerical Skills, Statistical Skills, Reasoning Skills

For the purpose of this course, the Added Value aspect consists of preparation for the final examination. A preliminary examination will also be undertaken by students in February.

Lessons at both of these levels will consist of Non-calculator practice questions as a starter followed by expositions and investigative approaches to new concepts.

Homework will consist of completion of classwork and fortnightly formal worksheets covering whole topics as well as progressive revision of prior content. Aspects of cross-curricular work, research and investigations may also be undertaken as part of this process.

It is worth noting that, loosely speaking, the National 4 course is similar to the current General Standard Grade curriculum and that, likewise, that at National 5 is closely related to Credit Standard Grade with a small number of additions.

S5/6

Pupils who successfully complete the National 4 course in S4 would progress to National 5 in S5 and follow the course described above with different completion dates for two of the units(Expressions and Formulae-11/01/16, Applications-05/10/15). Those who successfully complete National 5 should progress to the Higher course provided they achieve at least a B in the final examination.

The jump from National 5 to Higher is quite substantial in terms of the amount of work tackled and the rate at which it has to be completed. A significant quantity of homework (up to 1 hour per week night) has to be undertaken which consists of completing exercises along with formal worksheets which enable students to gradually revise the topics which they have encountered as the year progresses.

Three sets of internal assessments for each of the course’s units have to be successfully passed (with only one resit available) as a prerequisite to sitting the final examination. These consist of 4 to 5 topics studied at that particular stage and will be attempted at the following approximate dates: 30/11/15, 25/01/16, 18/04/16. Topics studied at Higher are: Equations of straight lines, Recurrence relations, Differentiation, Functions, Graphical transformations, Trigonometric equations and their graphs, Polynomials, Quadratic theory, Integration, Compound angle formulae, Circle equations, Vectors, Further Calculus, Wave functions and Exponential/Logarithmic functions.

A preliminary examination will be administered in February covering the first 2 units only. It is worth noting that candidates who do not achieve at least 40% in the prelim are unlikely to be entered for the final examination as they would not only need to compensate for this but also deal with the trickier third unit. The final examination in May is comprised of two papers. The first of these does not allow the use of a calculator.

Candidates who achieve at least a B in the Higher exam are encouraged to attempt the Advanced Higher course which consists of a similar homework and assessment structure- 3 internal assessments with 1 resit only(with the same delivery dates as the Higher ones) along with a 3 hour external examination in May. The content of the course is comparatively substantial and takes concepts such as Calculus, Vectors, Complex Numbers, Sequences/Series and Methods of proof to the next level. As only 3-4 periods per week of teaching are allocated to cover the course, it is vital that students develop a strong level of self-discipline in terms of studying and practising the concepts met much like the one they will need to adopt when they embark upon a further education course.

Who to contact

Mr Bombart