Introduction
In the Mathematics Department we aim to stimulate and develop pupils’ curiosity, interest and enjoyment in mathematics and the way mathematics relates to the world outside school. Although preparation for public exams is an essential part of the Department’s role, we also provide opportunities for pupils to take part in puzzles, competitions and challenges.

In preparation for the Key Stage 2 exams, Junior House pupils follow the National Curriculum for Mathematics which is divided into seven strands: using and applying Mathematics; counting and understanding number; knowing and using number facts; calculating; understanding shape; measuring; handling data.

At Key Stage 3 pupils follow the National Curriculum for Mathematics. The curriculum is divided into five main areas: mathematical processes and applications, number, algebra, geometry and measure, and statistics.

Number calculations with integers, fractions and decimals; factors, multiples and prime numbers; percentages, ratio and proportion; indices and standard form; number sequences.

Algebra using formulae; linear and quadratic equations; simultaneous equations; coordinates and graphs.

Geometry and Measure metric and imperial units of measurement; angles; areas of triangles and quadrilaterals; volumes of prisms; circles; symmetry and transformations; Pythagoras’ Theorem; trigonometry; locus.

Statistics designing questionnaires and collecting data; graphs and charts; the mean, median, mode and range; probability.

In the third form pupils also learn about how mathematics is applied to personal finance, studying budgeting, government spending and taxation.

At GCSE pupils prepare for the Edexcel linear specification at Higher or Foundation level, which builds on the work studied at Key Stage 3. Additional topics covered at this level include:

Number	compound interest and depreciation; direct and indirect proportion; index laws; upper and lower bounds; irrational numbers and surds.
Algebra	inequalities; linear and quadratic equations, the quadratic formula and completing the square; equations of straight lines; graphs of quadratic, cubic and exponential functions; transformations of graphs.
Geometry and Measure	similarity and congruence; sectors and segments of circles; the cylinder, sphere, cone and pyramid; geometrical constructions; compound measures; vectors.
Statistics	random sampling methods; histograms and cumulative frequency graphs; scatter graphs and correlation; time series and moving averages; probability.

Edexcel specification

The remove group, which sits the GCSE examination in the fourth form, go on to study the Free Standing Mathematics Qualification in Additional Mathematics, administered by OCR. The course provides a good introduction to A Level, covering four areas of Pure Mathematics – algebra, coordinate geometry, calculus and trigonometry – each supported by a branch of Applied Mathematics.

At A Level we follow the Edexcel specifications for Mathematics and Further Mathematics. All students study Core Maths units C1, C2, C3 and C4, and then either the Mechanics units M1 and M2, or the Statistics units S1 and S2. As well as these units, Further Mathematics students cover Further Pure units FP1, FP2, FP3 and an additional applied maths unit, usually Mechanics unit 3 or Decision Maths unit 1. There is no coursework required at A Level.

Students studying Mathematics sit examinations in all units at the end of the Upper Sixth. Further Maths students sit examinations in some units earlier in the course.

Core Maths	algebra and functions; coordinate geometry of straight lines and circles; sequences and series, arithmetic and geometric progressions, the binomial theorem; differentiation, integration and their applications; trigonometry; exponentials and logarithms; parametric equations; proof; vectors.
Mechanics	kinematics and dynamics of particles moving in a straight line; Newton’s Laws of Motion; moments; centre of mass; work and energy; momentum and collisions.
Statistics	graphical and numerical representation and summary of data; probability; correlation and regression; discrete and continuous random variables; the uniform, binomial, Poisson, normal and rectangular distributions; hypothesis testing.
Further Pure	complex numbers; conic sections; matrices; finite series; proof by induction; differential equations; Maclaurin and Taylor series; polar coordinates; hyperbolic functions; vectors.
Mechanics unit 3	further kinematics and dynamics; elastic strings and springs; circular motion; centre of mass;
Decision Maths unit 1	algorithms; the route inspection problem; critical path analysis; linear programming; matchings.

The Mathematics section of the school learning resources website includes a wide range of supporting material, such as lesson notes, PowerPoint files, sample exam papers and past exam papers.

The Society aims to promote enjoyment of Mathematics beyond the classroom. Each year a large number of pupils take part in the United Kingdom Mathematics Trust Mathematics Challenges at Junior, Intermediate and Senior levels. In 2009 for the first time we also entered teams for the UKMT Junior and Senior Team Challenges. The National Cipher Challenge, run by the Mathematics Department at the University of Southampton, has also been a popular competition in recent years. We also organise trips to lectures in London from time to time.