Mathematics
Mathematics is not only one of the core subjects taught throughout the school, but it is also extremely popular with girls at all age groups.
It is taught using workbooks produced in-house by a team of five mathematicians in five dedicated Mathematics teaching rooms.
Lower School
Year 7 classes are taught in mixed ability groups before girls are separated into sets for the duration of Lower School and beyond.
The numbers of pupils in each set vary, with higher numbers in higher ability sets, lower numbers in lower ability sets.
All Year 7 girls take part in the UK Mathematics Trust Junior Challenge in May. Fun events are organised from time to time and are thoroughly enjoyed by staff and girls.
GCSE
In line with many independent schools, girls at Merchant Taylors’ follow an “International” GCSE in Mathematics, as we feel it provides more of a challenge and an effective bridge to A-Level.
The IGCSE course in Mathematics is an extension of the work covered in Years 7 to 9. It is the intention that all students will be entered for the higher level IGCSE examination set by the EDEXCEL Examination Board.
Assessment is by two 2-hour papers. In the past, some girls have been offered the chance to be fast-tracked through the course, allowing time in Year 11 to embark on the AQA Further Mathematics Level 2 qualification. This supports their transition to A-Level Mathematics and Further Mathematics in Sixth Form.
A Level
We offer separate Edexcel A-Level courses in Mathematics and Further Mathematics.
A-Level Maths content is 100% prescribed, containing both pure and applied maths, drawn from statistics and mechanics, without decision maths.
A-Level Further Maths content contains a proportion of optional content, defined by exam boards, which can include statistics, mechanics and decision maths.
Exams are linear, with all exams taken at the end of the course, in summer.Overarching themes of mathematical argument, language and proof, problem solving and mathematical modelling underpin all parts of the qualifications.
Use of technology in the classroom is encouraged, so a large data set will be provided for girls to analyse as part of the A-Level Maths specifications. Some exam questions will be based on this data set so students need to be familiar with it.
Regular Maths clinics are run at lunchtimes or after school to support girls with independent work or homework, and Sixth Form Maths students to pass on their enthusiasm to younger students by taking a lead in clinics and acting as Maths ambassadors to younger pupils.
Girls take part in a number of Mathematical competitions each year, including the challenges set by the Liverpool Mathematical Society and the UK Mathematics Trust. Mathematicians from the Sixth Form also take part in National Mathematics Challenges.
Some universities require or recommend students to take an additional entrance qualification when applying for certain undergraduate Mathematical courses. Teachers provide both one-to-one tuition for STEP and MAT papers and facilitate access to online preparation.
