Maths

At Culcheth Hall School our students are placed into two smaller learning groups for Maths when they begin in Year 7. This is based on their assesed ability and confidence in Maths, ascertained by information from their Primary school, the results from our own Entrance Exam, and a Mental Maths assessment within the first few days of Year 7.

The girls thrive in these small groups. It allows the students who find Maths a challenge to develop a greater understanding of each topic at a pace that is more suited to them. It also permits a more individualised learning scheme in the Foundation class. For those girls who enjoys Maths and who want to explore more involved ideas, the Higher learning group encourages them to extend their understanding.

There is a constant re-assessment of all students in each class. This means that the girls may move from one group to the other during a school year, depending on their progress. These smaller Maths groups are maintained through to the end of Year 11.

Years 7 and 8

In Year 7 and 8 we follow the specifications as set in the Mathematics Framework for KS3. This involves a broad programme of study grouped into:

• Algebra
• Number
• Shape, Space and Measure
• Handling Data

All students have 5 teaching period of Maths per week. Four of these are used to teach the specified coursework. We utilise the other period to show how our Maths classwork can be related to the real world, and how so much of our everyday lives is effected and influenced by Mathematical ideas.

In the last few week of Years 7 and  8 the girls carry out a project based on current events. This incorporates research, interpretation and presentation of data.

Year 9, 10 and 11 - Modular GCSE

At Culcheth Hall we undertake study and exams based on the AQA Modular Specification B.
This means that from the middle of Year 9 to the end of Year 11, the girls will complete 3 separate modules.

Module 1          (Handling Data)  - 18% of final UMS
Module 3          (Number and Algebra) -  27% of final UMS
Module 5          (Number, Algebra, Shape, Space and Measure) -  55% of final UMS

There is no course work, as all assessment is based on external examination, and each module is worth a different proportion of the final UMS mark and subsequent awarded grade. We offer Higher and Foundation level for each module.

When the girls start in Year 9 we carry out a 'Preparation for GCSE' programme. This involves a three month period of revision of common concepts and ideas that are assummed knowledge for the modules involved in GCSE. After completion of this programme, we begin Module 1 and teach towards an exam in the June of that current school year. In Years 10 and 11, Modules 3 and 5 are completed.

And finally.....

The Ten Commandments for Mathematics
1. Thou shalt read Thy problem.
2. Whatsoever Thou doest to one side of ye equation, Do ye also to the other.
3. Thou must use Thy "Common Sense", else Thou wilt have flagpoles 900 metres in height, yea ... even fathers younger than sons.
4. Thou shalt ignore the teachings of false prophets to do work in Thy head.
5. When Thou knowest not, Thou shalt look it up, and if Thy search still elude Thee, Then Thou shalt ask the all-knowing teacher.
6. Thou shalt master each step before putting Thy heavy foot down on the next.
7. Thy correct answer does not prove that Thou hast worked Thy problem correctly. This argument convincest none, least of all, Thy teacher.
8. Thou shalt first see that Thou hast copied Thy problem correctly before bearing false witness that the answer book lieth.
9. Thou shalt look back even unto Thy youth and remember Thy arithmetic.
10. Thou shalt learn, speak, write, and listen correctly in the language of mathematics, and verily A's and B's shall follow Thee even unto graduation.