Clifton College Website

Mathematics

Mathematics has a proud tradition at Clifton College. As a core component within the National Curriculum it is studied by all students up to GCSE, and Mathematics is one of the most popular A-level subject in the Sixth Form. The range of valuable, transferable skills that Mathematics develops and the value that leading Universities attach to Advanced Level Mathematical qualifications, place the subject at the heart of the School’s curriculum. See Mr Simmons’ ‘Strength in Numbers at Clifton’ summary of achievements over the last couple of years.

Head of Mathematics
Mr Gilbert Simmons BSc
Teachers
Mr Robert Beever BEng Miss Alex Tebay BSc Mr Matthew Kendry BA MEng Mr Michael Haynes BSc Mr John Barrett MA Dr Clive Jones BA DPhil Mr Mike West BA Ms Susan Roughton Mrs Bronwen Barr BSc Miss Anastassia Zdanovits MSci Mr Gary Catchpole MEng Mr James Baker BSc

Resources

The Department is situated in the Coulson Centre in 9 well-equipped classrooms spread over two floors, with a Departmental Office at its heart.

All the classrooms are connected to the School’s network and use of technology is a regular feature of the teaching, using the projector and PC contained in every room. All have interactive whiteboards, and these are an integral part of our interactive teaching.

The Percival Library and the Departmental Library contain Mathematics sections which include a range of books which the students can use to read beyond the syllabus and a range of Mathematical software is available.

Teaching

Teaching takes place across all year groups and ability levels and the Department’s policy is to set by ability.

There are currently 8 sets in each year from Year 9 to Year 11 studying towards examinations in the EDEXCEL IGCSE or EDEXCEL Modular GCSE. The top set sit their IGCSE at the beginning of Year 11, and they then go on to study for one or two AS modules.

At AS and A-level we currently teach a range of EDEXCEL modules covering Pure Mathematics, Mechanics, Statistics and Decision Mathematics.

There are normally 5 single Mathematics sets in the Lower Sixth as well as 2 Further Mathematics groups. In the Upper Sixth the 5 single Mathematics sets are usually combined to become 4 sets to cover the A2 Modules.

A-level combinations offered: C1 – 4, M1, S1 for single Mathematics, and FP1 – 3, M2 – 3 and S2 in addition for Further Mathematics.

In 2011 the Upper sixth produced 19 Mathematics A-Level A* grades, and 32 A grades. Over the last four years the yearly percentage of grades at A-Level at A grade or above has been 71% on average.

Further Maths

We have a strong tradition of success in Further Mathematics and the number of students studying both Mathematics and Further Mathematics continues at a very high level – 54 in total.

It is customary for some of the Further Mathematics students to sit the STEP or AEA papers and extra classes are run to assist them.

Extra Activities and National Competitions

For the latest news and competition wins, please see the following news stories:
A winning heat at the Met Office
Vires In Numeris
Maths Inspiration
National Cipher Challenge 2011
Strength in Numbers
Clifton Comes Third in UKMT
National Cipher Challenge 2010
Clifton Hosts Maths Challenge
United Kingdom Mathematics Challenge
Intermediate Maths Challenge
Bristol Schools Maths Competition
Top 10 Place for Clifton Mathematicians

We run additional Clinics at least once a week to provide pupils with the opportunity to discuss any problems one-to-one with a teacher or simply to come and work on their Mathematics.

Prize puzzles also run every few weeks offering challenges to all students from the 3rd Form to the Further Mathematicians – there are book vouchers on offer as rewards!

Each year we enter students for the United Kingdom Mathematics Challenge at Intermediate and Senior level and the best Mathematicians often go on to take part in the Mathematics Olympiad competitions.

The school enters the Regional rounds of the UKMT Mathematics Team Challenge (Years 8 and 9) and the Senior Team Mathematics Challenge (Years 12 and 13). In 2010, Clifton qualified for the National Final in the former, eventually coming 3rd overall, and the Senior Team also qualified and for their National Final in February 2011.

Clifton College also occasionally hosts the Bristol Schools Mathematics Competition, where in the region of 100 Sixth Formers from local schools gather to attempt testing mathematical problems under a time restriction.

© 2006-12 Clifton College