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Mathematics

Welcome to the Faculty of Mathematics

We teach every aspect of the subject from Year 9 through to Year 13 with the aim to broaden and develop students’ understanding and interest.

Mathematics is an international language that crosses all boundaries and is the tool required by problem solvers to describe the world in which we live. Mathematics contributes to the school curriculum by developing numeracy and enabling the students to reason using logic, algebra, geometry and statistics. Students will be trained to use and apply what they have learnt to solve problems. These skills are vital in many areas of employment.

The Mathematics Faculty is well resourced and has 9 dedicated classrooms based on the top floor of E Building. The Faculty has the benefit of interactive whiteboards in every room and laptops and computers available to use in every classroom. Students at Queen Elizabeth’s School will begin their mathematical journey in Year 9 after completing their Key Stage 3 course at their middle school. Their lessons will build on this work and provide them with opportunities to enrich, explore, discover, and discuss mathematically whilst preparing themselves for their GCSE studies.

In Years 9, 10 and 11, students work towards gaining their GCSE Mathematics qualification. The GCSE course is a linear course. This means that all examinations are taken at the end of Year 11. There is no Coursework or Controlled Assessment component for GCSE Mathematics.

The syllabus followed is Edexcel GCSE Mathematics (9-1) (1MA1) for Years 9, 10 and 11.

In Years 9, 10 and 11, students work towards gaining their GCSE Mathematics qualification. The GCSE course is a linear course. This means that all examinations are taken at the end of Year 11. There is no Coursework or Controlled Assessment component for GCSE Mathematics. The syllabus followed is Edexcel GCSE Mathematics (9-1) (1MA1) for Years 9, 10 and 11. 

The Edexcel 1MA1 syllabus is arranged as follows:

The assessments will cover the following content headings: 

  1. Number 
  2. Algebra 
  3. Ratio, proportion and rates of change 
  4. Geometry and measures 
  5. Probability 
  6. Statistics 
  • Two tiers are available: Foundation and Higher (content is defined for each tier). 
  • Each student is permitted to take assessments in either the Foundation tier or Higher tier.
  • The qualification consists of three equally-weighted written examination papers at either Foundation tier or Higher tier. 
  • All three papers must be at the same tier of entry and must be completed in the same assessment series. 
  • Paper 1 is a non-calculator assessment and a calculator is allowed for Paper 2 and Paper 3. Each paper is 1 hour and 30 minutes long. 
  • Each paper has 80 marks.
  • The content outlined for each tier will be assessed across all three papers. 
  • Each paper will cover all Assessment Objectives, in the percentages outlined for each tier. (See the section Breakdown of Assessment Objectives for more information.)
  • Each paper has a range of question types; some questions will be set in both mathematical and non-mathematical contexts.

A link to the full specification can be found here 

Maths GCSE Specification - Pearson

Students who wish to continue their Mathematics into Years 12 and 13 can choose a variety of pathways. Students can opt to study for an A Level in Mathematics or Further Mathematics. Both are courses that will prepare students for a variety of university courses. The syllabus covered for A Level Mathematics is Edexcel 9MA0 and for Further Mathematics is Edexcel 9FM0.

For those students who are looking for an apprenticeship based pathway after Sixth Form we offer a Professional Mathematics course which combines AS Level Mathematics, Edexcel syllabus 8MA0 and AQA Core Maths syllabus code H868. 

Hegarty Maths is used extensively across each year group at KS4 with homeworks set on a regular basis using this platform and all revision material is linked to HegartyMaths clips. This complements other educational internet platforms such as Tassomai and GCSE Pod.

Students in all years will have the opportunity to be involved in activities such as The Cipher Challenge and the UK Maths Challenges.​

For further information please contact

Mr T Baguley
Head of Faculty
tbaguley@queenelizabeths.com