Mathematics

The Mathematics Department aims not just to satisfy examination requirements but to encourage, where possible, a love of the subject and to allow those with a particular aptitude for mathematics to flourish.

The intention is to provide all pupils with a certain technical facility (and some logical skill) by the time they have completed their compulsory mathematical education. Naturally we also hope to encourage and inspire those who would benefit from A level study to take the subject in the Sixth Form. Many do, and these are complemented by many of the girls who join Eltham College. A significant number of students take two full A levels, Mathematics and Further Mathematics.

Lower down the school the subject is taught in sets, with initial setting based upon performance in the entrance examination. There are usually four sets in years 7 - 11. All boys eventually sit IGCSE Mathematics at the Higher tier, with Set 1 taking the examination a year early, at the end of Year 10. In Year 11 these boys take further qualifications, including OCR Additional Mathematics.

For curriculum information, please see the Mathematics Pupils' page.

Genuine understanding and mastery of technique bring their own enjoyment, but we also seek to convey something of the real intellectual excitement of this most abstract of disciplines. In addition, we seek to expose our best pupils to serious problem-solving, to the idea of questions which do not heavily advertise their structure - in the Lower School by having the brightest boys follow the Extension Mathematics course (as a supplement to the normal curriculum) and in the Sixth Form by active promotion of STEP Mathematics.

The subject has an extra-curricular life specifically devoted to mathematics of a less routine nature. The cornerstone of this provision is the Senior Mathematics Society, which meets weekly during term. There is a Departmental Library, from which sixth formers can borrow books for research. We enter boys for UK Mathematics Challenges at all levels; and we regularly enter a team in the London-based Hans Woyda Competition.

The Department comprises seven mathematicians: Mr J Backhouse (Head of Mathematics), Mr V Broncz, Mrs C Head-Rapson, Mr J Hind, Dr J Munn, Mr L Watts (Director of Studies) and Mrs S Wood.