<p> ALEXANDRA PARK SCHOOL MATHS DEPARTMENT</p><p>The Maths department is a dynamic department, which has enjoyed several years of successful results. Since being awarded Science and Maths Specialist Status, we have enjoyed further support and state-of-the- art resources.</p><p>Our Ethos  To deliver Mathematics so that students appreciate the value of mathematics.  To demonstrate Mathematics as an international language.  To demonstrate the full potential of the subject. To show that the subject is rich, challenging and enjoyable.  To put Mathematics into context, both historically, and as a valuable skill of everyday life.  To develop an atmosphere of work and interest within our classes and thereby nurture the self- motivation of our students.  To model the benefits of problem solving.  To keep Maths and the Maths department at the heart of the school, both socially and academically.</p><p>Year 8 taking the Giant Connect 4 challenge during the Maths road show Our Team The Maths team currently consists of 12 specialist Maths teachers and a technician from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. The qualities brought to the department complement each other and lead to a highly positive atmosphere. The team has an open door policy, where good practice is shared, lessons are observed and support is available. Curriculum team meetings are used as far as possible to cascade CPD, training and resources. Teachers are well-supported and performance management and professional development are valued. We also work closely with the SEN department and its team of TAs.</p><p>Maths team at school charity event The Department has been able to recruit excellent practitioners. The expansion opportunities and our specialist status have facilitated four responsibility point holders within the Department, in addition to the Curriculum Team Leader. Currently, these positions are for Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5 with 2ic responsibilities, and Maths and Science Specialist School Co-ordinator. </p><p>The department is keen to support and train new teachers and has provided placements to ITT students for 10 years.</p><p>Our Resources Occupying the third floor of the school, the department has 9 specialist teaching rooms, a large office and a storeroom. Each classroom is well equipped with interactive whiteboards, basic whiteboards and equipment, counting sticks, AFL toolkit, general maths equipment, calculators and level descriptors. Staff have access to detailed schemes of work and module plans. </p><p>All students are issued with relevant differentiated textbooks and our teachers have access to ICT teaching rooms as well as our own set of wireless laptops. We have invested in several ICT packages including Mymaths, MathsWatch, Geometry Sketch Pad, Autograph and Stock Market Challenge and have access to a variety of mathematical board games and videos.</p><p>Students engaged in maths through ICT Students focussed on UK maths challenge</p><p>Our Results Our Maths department is now the best performing in Haringey with the number of students achieving the expected level of progress at this fully comprehensive secondary school reaching 85%. This is reflected by our excellent GCSE results which have gone from strength to strength over the last 5 years and now stand at 79.7% A* to C. </p><p>GCSE Maths A* - C 2004 53.1% 2005 52.9% 2006 53.5% 2007 61.6% 2008 70% 2009 76% 2010 74% 2011 78.5% 2012 79.7% 2013 84%</p><p>We are currently following the Edexcel linear syllabus for GCSE and the OCR syllabus for AS and A2 Mathematics and Further Mathematics.</p><p>We run a Fast Track GCSE pathway where pupils take the GCSE at the end of Year 10 and study and additional qualification in Year 11. Our Fast Track cohorts have been very successful with their early GCSE results and currently study the Level 2 Certificate in Further Mathematics. Maths is a popular choice at A Level and the number of students taking AS and A level maths in Years 12 and 13 has been expanding. We now have 55 students studying AS maths in Year 12 (as well as the 51 Fast Track students in Year 11) and 36 in Year 13. We are also pleased to be offering Further Maths in Years 12 and 13.</p><p>What we do The Maths Department maintains its vibrancy outside the normal teaching environment: </p><p> We have a weekly Maths Club during which all Maths teachers are at hand to help with any aspect of the subject. This is one of the best attended and successful school clubs, sometimes needing to occupy 2 rooms to accommodate the students.</p><p>Maths club</p><p> An annual Maths Week during which whole school challenges are set  Year 8 have an annual Maths Road Show during which maths is brought to life using a variety of challenges and games </p><p>Students trying the impossible puzzle at road show Yr 13 maths students helping yr 8s at road show</p><p> Year 9 have a Maths Activity Fortnight in June where student use maths to unwind and prepare for the start of their GCSE course  We host Maths Master Classes for feeder primary school students.  The department participates in the UK Junior, Intermediate and Senior Maths Challenge  A delegation of GCSE and A level students attend Cambridge University Maths Department annually.  We also participate in World Maths Day events. </p><p>What People Say About Us</p><p>OFSTED</p><p>“GCSE examination results have been well above average and rising in recent years. School data indicate that this upward trend is continuing and students in the current Year 11 are on track to meet and in many cases exceed their challenging targets. The proportion of students gaining five good GCSE grades including in English and Mathematics is considerably higher than seen nationally, giving them a very secure foundation for future success”. “Standards in mathematics are high, with more pupils than expected achieving the higher levels. Work in mathematics lessons is supported very well by the contribution made to pupils' numeracy skills by other subjects.”</p><p>“Numeracy is successfully taught as an integral part of mathematics lessons. A strength of the provision is the way in which numeracy is applied to situations familiar to pupils.” “The study of the subject is in contexts that reflect the interests and cultural backgrounds of the pupils.”</p><p>“Very good relations between pupils and teachers, working in an inspiring mathematical environment, support pupils’ learning. “</p><p>“Typically, pupils are inspired to achieve just that little bit more than might be expected.” “Pupils learn well because their teachers know how to develop understanding, have very high expectations of them and plan their teaching accordingly.”</p><p>“Excellent relations between pupils and teachers ensure that time is used to the advantage of pupils’ learning throughout lessons. Consequently, pupils express themselves confidently, experience success and enjoy the study of mathematics.”</p><p>“The team of mathematics teachers is led very well. They work strategically and collaboratively with abundant enthusiasm demonstrating the extent of their skills and specialisms. A particular strength is the sharing of excellent ideas to the advantage of pupils’ learning, using extensive resources and activities in their teaching, to this end.”</p><p>This provides a brief outline of the Mathematics department at Alexandra Park School. Should you require any further information or would like to visit, please contact us on 020 8826 4927 (after 4 pm), or email on [email protected] </p><p>The mathematics team look forward to hearing from you.</p><p>Vinesh Bhugobaun Mathematics Curriculum Team Leader January 2014</p>