Exciting, Challenging, Fascinating – Yes, you are on the right page! We are talking about the beauty of Maths.

Mathematics is a very popular subject here at Whitchurch High School, where a team of dedicated mathematicians (…if a little eccentric!) help students to develop their confidence with a subject so essential to every day life. The department encourages students to become independent learners and provides all students with the opportunities to develop those skills so essential in today’s work place – problem solving skills, communication skills and the ability to work with others.

Pupils are taught in their mixed ability groups in year 7 except for a small group of pupils who have been identified as having learning difficulties by our primary colleagues. For the remainder of their time at Whitchurch, pupils are placed into ability sets in 3 blocks, initially based on their performance in year 7.  Progress is regularly reviewed, leading to promotions and relegations between sets.

Pupils at Whitchurch follow the OCR graduated assessment GCSE course, which is modular in structure. Pupils study their first GCSE module exam in the June of year 9. They then take a further 2 or 3 modules during years 10 and 11, together with a final terminal examination at the end of year 11, and these collectively will be used to award a GCSE grade in Maths.

Pupils are able to work at their own pace within a topic area, and the more able pupils are encouraged to stretch themselves as much as possible with the provision of extension material. The textbooks are supplemented with a range of activities - investigative work, mental mathematics, practical activities, number games, group work, discussion work and teacher-led activities for the whole class.

We, the Maths Department at Whitchurch High School, strive to ensure all pupils achieve their full potential within this subject area. Determination, commitment and hard work are the characteristics required for this…… we are quite simply teaching them skills for life.