Mathematics
In the January 2006 inspection report, the inspector for Maths was extremely complimentary about the quality of teaching and dedication of the staff within the department.
Indeed, this hard work and commitment to the pupils underpins the Maths teaching at Birkdale School. All the teachers are highly qualified specialists who are not only confident in their own mathematical abilities, but also understand how to get the best from their pupils. Relationships between pupils and teachers are warm, and the schemes of work are written specifically to make Maths an accessible, relevant subject.
From S1/Y7, pupils are placed in one of four sets, based largely on their performance on the entrance test. These setting arrangements are then reviewed following an assessment in November. From then on, progress is monitored through half termly tests and teacher assessment, and reported back to parents in reports and at parents’ evening. Homework is set weekly in line with the school’s homework policy, then marked and graded promptly.
S2/Y8 boys using multilink cubes to carry out an investigation
In the Maths department we are committed to helping pupils achieve their best, whatever their ability. Less able pupils are taught in smaller groups (typically containing under ten pupils) and different learning styles are taken into account in order to appeal to all pupils. Teachers run a twice weekly ‘clinic’ whereby all pupils have access to one-to-one support with their work. The most able pupils have their interest in Maths promoted through various competitions and challenges and have the option of studying for a further qualification (see below).
From September 2006, the Maths GCSE is changing nationally from three levels of entrance to two. At Birkdale, we believe that this disadvantages those pupils who are working at an average level or may be late ‘developers’ in terms of their mathematical understanding. To allow for this, the department has restructured its setting arrangements and schemes of work. This enables more boys to be prepared for higher GCSE and postpone the final decision on tier of entry until after the mock exam in S5/Y11.
At Birkdale we believe that the most able pupils need to be continually stretched and challenged. As a result, Additional Mathematics can be taken as well as GCSE during S5/Y11, leading to a freestanding qualification which is between GCSE and ‘A’ Level, and also an excellent springboard into Further Maths. Boys from the most able set can choose to study Additional Maths for 1 lesson per week in place of one of their usual GCSE Maths lessons.
