Mathematics
The Lingfield Mathematics Department is staffed by an enthusiastic and experienced team of teachers, all of whom can teach to A Level standard. The department's aim is to foster confidence, a sense of achievement and a love of mathematics. Both the logical and creative aspects of Maths are encouraged and explored whilst the students are helped to develop efficient ways of tackling a variety of problems and communicating their answers.
We aim to ensure that every student achieves their full mathematical potential. We stretch all students, regardless of their mathematical ability, by helping them to appreciate that it is a subject that can be mastered, manipulated to support future careers and ultimately loved because of its complex beauty.
Our students have a strong track record of success in mathematics with approximately 70% of Year 11 pupils achieving grades 7–9.
Courses offered
IGCSE Mathematics
What will I learn? The IGCSE is an interesting and challenging course that suits all students, and provides excellent foundations for the further study of mathematics in the Sixth Form.
The top sets are expected to study for OCR Level 3 FSMQ: Additional Mathematics beginning in Year 10. This course supports the IGCSE and provides a taste of A Level Mathematics. The style of questions on the IGCSE paper requires students to go beyond the recall of facts and the application of learned processes. Students will also need to be able to interpret, analyse, and problem-solve within the five key areas of Mathematics:
- Number
- Algebra
- Graphs
- Shape and Space
- Handling Data
A Level Mathematics
Interest, enthusiasm, and determination are all essential for success in A Level Maths, and students are strongly encouraged to become more independent learners. A grade of 8+ in IGCSE Mathematics is expected as a basis for beginning the course.
Aims of the Course
- During the two years, we aim to build confidence and enthusiasm for mathematics, developing processes and techniques that build on the IGCSE and allow students to start connecting the different areas within the subject.
- We aim to provide a strong mathematical foundation upon which to build future studies and careers, as well as a love of this wonderful subject.
The A Level Mathematics course consists of 3 modules (2 Pure and 1 Applied). Students will each sit a single 2-hour paper, and they are allowed to use scientific or graphical calculators.
Pure Mathematics (two modules):
- Proof
- Algebra and Functions
- Co-ordinate Geometry in the (x, y)
- Plane Sequences and Series Trigonometry
- Exponentials and Logarithms
- Differentiation
- Integration
- Numerical Methods
- Vectors
Applied Mathematics – Statistics and Mechanics (one module):
- Probability Measures of Spread and Central Tendency
- Hypothesis Testing
- Normal Distribution
- Regression and Correlation
- Kinematics
- Projectiles
- Forces and Friction
- Moments
- Applications of Forces
Maths clinics run once a week at lunchtime. We also run an exam seminar group where students are invited to practise exam maths questions with a maths teacher in the classroom.
A Level Mathematics and Further Mathematics
For those students with a particular passion for Mathematics, we offer a combined Mathematics and Further Mathematics course.
The course aims to quickly progress students through the early A Level Mathematics pure content which cover a lot of topics that are included in Additional Maths (studied by Set 1 in Year 11 and offered as a lunchtime club to Set 2 students). This allows extra time to explore the more challenging content of the later modules and for students to extend their studies to include work on STEP (Cambridge University Entrance exam) and MAT Mathematics (Oxford University Entrance exam).
Enrichment
We stretch our interested and able students across all years with the Mathletes Club, appropriate extension activities in class, participation in UK Maths challenge and UK Team Maths Challenge competing against other schools. Students also attend lectures throughout the year covering topics such as mathematics of sleep, and the mathematics of music.
Our most able mathematicians take the Additional Maths Level 3 qualification in Year 11 which affords UCAS points and a head start in A Level Maths and Further Maths.
Year 13 students attend MathsFest in London, run by renowned mathematician Matt Parker. They learn about the application of mathematics in the real world and some of its quirky areas.
Mr Michael Maranzano
Head of Mathematics
Year 8 Students Win Faraday Challenge at Gatwick Airport Stem Centre
