Mathematics

Maths students at Kingswood are challenged to follow the lead of Pythagoras by finding connections with the world around them.

As a department, we aim to provide a stimulating setting that will allow students to fulfil their academic potential. In addition, the department supports students in securing places to study Mathematics and other STEM subjects on highly sought-after courses at prestigious universities.

The Kingswood Mathematics department enjoys a great deal of examination success at GCSE and A-Level. Indeed, Kingswood has enjoyed much success in Mathematics throughout the School's rich history. It boasts a number of former Professors of Mathematics, several Fellows of the Royal Society, two brothers who became Presidents of the London Mathematical Society, and several others who have taken centre stage in the development of Mathematics in Britain during the 19th and 20th centuries. For example, one former Kingswood student was employed by Lewis Carroll as a lecturer in Mathematics at Oxford, and another tutored English mathematician G.H. Hardy, who is famous for explaining: "A mathematician, like a painter or poet, is a maker of patterns. If his patterns are more permanent than theirs, it is because they are made with ideas."

Hardy's view of a mathematician as a creative vessel is an important part of the department's ethos, both for the engagement of the students and for the development of the subject at Kingswood. We set high standards for our Mathematics students. The department provides a supportive environment that enables students to develop their understanding of Mathematics and to explore different aspects of the subject through extension activities. These activities encourage students to make the necessary connections between the Mathematics they encounter in school and the world around us.

Just as G.H. Hardy collaborated famously with Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan, we encourage our students to share and develop mathematical ideas within the classroom. We aim to help students to recognise the beauty and power inherent in Mathematics and to enjoy a positive experience in the field.

We take part in national individual and team competitions and have a proud track record of success, with a number of students in recent years going on to study Mathematics at very prestigious Universities.

KEY STAGE 3 

Upon arriving at Kingswood, students will find that the focus of their Mathematics education is to ‘master’ each and every one of the concepts they are presented with. We believe that all students, regardless of prior attainment, should be given the opportunity to be the best mathematician they can be, and with teaching is focused on achieving such development. We introduce, strengthen and master the fundamentals of algebra and geometry, laying a foundation for success at IGCSE and beyond. We try to find ways of explaining the how and why we are doing Mathematics and relate new concepts to priori knowledge and real world experiences.

Students will develop three key areas in Key Stage 3:

• Procedural fluency
• Mathematical reasoning
• Problem solving

GCSE

Pupils study the Edexcel IGCSE (Specification A) at GCSE level, which trains them to think both abstractly and creatively, and to come up with logical and irrefutable solutions. Throughout the course, students will develop analytical skills and learn to solve complex problems by breaking them down into smaller steps.

Pupils  will develop the ability to accurately model and interpret results, and to communicate their conclusions clearly and succinctly. They will become proficient in written and mental numerical calculations, in handling and interpreting data and in the language of algebra.

A-LEVEL - MATHEMATICS AND FURTHER MATHEMATICS

A-Level pupils follow the Edexcel specification. During this course, students will construct rigorous mathematical arguments and proofs through the use of precise statements, logical deduction and inference, and by manipulation of mathematical expressions.

The A-Level Mathematics course is split between a focus on Pure and Applied Mathematics. In Pure lessons we build upon the ideas of Calculus and geometry from GCSE and enrich the algebra skills that are so vital to Mathematical success. Applied lessons focus on either understanding and using statistical tools to interpret data, or studying Newton’s laws to interpret real physical situations, such as ladders, pulleys and projectiles.

The applications of Mathematics A-Level are wide reaching and the skills required for success in the course are well regarded across a range of Undergraduate courses in the sciences or otherwise.