Mathematics
Head of Department: Mrs Sarah Shannon
Teaching Staff: Mr Andrew Anderson, Miss Aimie Carson, Mrs Debbie Corbett, Mrs Joanie Kelly, Mr Garreth Mitchell, Mrs Emma Schofield, Mr Conor Sweeney
The Mathematics Department at St. Columbanus College reflects the aims and objectives of the college, providing a caring and nurturing environment enhancing the teaching and learning of our pupils. We are a dynamic department who strive to get the best out of all the pupils we teach. We embrace the Revised Curriculum incorporating content alongside Thinking Skills and Personal Capabilities, Problem Solving, Active Learning and ICT.
Homework
Homework tasks are assigned to students each week using the Sparx Maths online platform. Your maths teacher will explain how this platform works and help you set up your account. Students will also be set written homework tasks throughout the year.
We encourage all parents/guardians/carers to take an active role in completion of homework by providing a signature in homework books and encouraging students to complete these without a calculator when appropriate.
How to log into Sparx: https://f.hubspotusercontent30.net/hubfs/5530880/KB%20How%20to%20Videos%20-%20Spring%202021/How%20students%20log%20in.mp4
Parents info:
Subject Information
Key Stage 3
KS3 Maths:
Pupils in all year groups study appropriate content for their level from the main areas of Mathematics:
- Number
- Data
- Algebra
- Shape, Space and Measure
Pupils are given the opportunity to expand on their subject knowledge and challenge themselves through a variety of classroom activities and lessons.
Our pupils enjoy taking part in Numeracy Ninja challenge weekly in class and build up mathematical skills while trying to earn their Black Belt.
We participate in a range of Mathematical Competitions and events throughout the year including UKMT Mathematics Challenge, Maths Week Ireland, Manga High Competitions , SumDog Challenges and Fun Maths Roadshow.
Pupils have access to ‘Sparx Maths’ and ‘Maths Pad’ to consolidate work in class and to help prepare for Continuous Assessments.
Mathematics KS3
GCSE Maths
All students sit examinations in CCEA over their two-year period in senior school.
The content of each GCSE Mathematics unit relates to:
- Number and Algebra;
- Geometry and Measures; and
- Statistics and Probability.
The units all provide opportunities for students to develop and apply their mathematical skills to real-life contexts.
The eight available units are:
- M1: Foundation Tier
- M2: Foundation Tier
- M3: Higher Tier
- M4: Higher Tier
- M5: Foundation Tier Completion Test
- M6: Foundation Tier Completion Test
- M7: Higher Tier Completion Test
- M8: Higher Tier Completion Test
Pupils can sit a variety of combinations of modules to complete their GCSE Mathematics. An example of the most common pathways used is shown below, however other pathways are available.
Foundation Tier:
Higher Tier
Further information and Past Papers can be found on the CCEA website using the link below:
https://ccea.org.uk/post-16/gce/subjects/gce-mathematics-2018
Pupils have access to ‘Sparx Maths’ and ‘Maths Pad’ to consolidate work in class and to help prepare for Examinations.
Revision Sessions
Revision sessions are offered after school in the run up to the GCSE examinations.
GCSE Further Mathematics
Continuous Assessments and PTM results from Year 10 are used to select pupils for GCSE Further Maths.
Students in this class will complete GCSE Mathematics in Year 11 followed by GCSE Further Mathematics in Year 12, following the CCEA specification. Students will complete examinations in Pure Mathematics, Mechanics and Statistics as part of this course.
It is strongly recommended that pupils who wish to study A Level Mathematics complete GCSE Further Mathematics.
Post-16
Mathematics A Level
Maths is offered at A Level following the CCEA specification.
