Mathematics
The Mathematics department at Wakefield City Academy comprises of:
Richard Madarasz (Head of Department)
Darren Adkin (Second in Department)
Robert Allsopp (Deputy Headteacher)
Stephen Chippendale
Khadim Hussain
Barbara Prinsep
Julia Oldroyd (HLTA)
Angela Summerscales (HLTA)
The dynamic and forward thinking team has transformed mathematics A* - C pass rate from 18% to 74% over a period of just seven years. Last year it recorded the highest pass rate of the LA even though the intake was way below the local average. This superb value added per student puts the department in the top 3% of all high schools in the United Kingdom and is one of the reasons it is frequently visited by other maths departments to observe excellent practice. In the last 2 years over 200 teachers have attended training in the department and Richard Madarasz gave numerous presentations to conferences throughout the country outlining strategies that make the department so successful.
Excellent progress is achieved throughout KS 3 and KS 4. Year 9 SATs results have improved, level 5 + rising from 58% to 82% this year, level 6+ and level 7+ have also increased dramatically, indicating that the GCSE trend will continue in the future.
In recent years the department has been actively involved in the teaching of the gifted and talented pupils from its feeder primary schools, using the school minibus to collect students and teach them higher level mathematics at Wakefield City Academy. This has helped in the transition from primary to secondary school and has also had a positive impact on the primary schools SATs level 5+ results.
The department has a busy enrichment schedule to enable pupils to see the benefits of mathematics in business and real-life situations. The following activities have been organised/ attended within the last 12 months:
- Mission to Mars at the National Space Centre.
- Mathematics Inspiration at the University of Leeds.
- Junior Mathematics Challenge.
- Intermediate Mathematics Challenge.
- Why do A-level Mathematics? A general talk that outlined the benefits of studying maths.
- A variety of enrichment lessons with a focus on functionality.
- Mathematics presentation by Johnny Ball.
- Love is in the Air. Mathematics and drama workshop.
- Wildlife Survey at Wintersett Park.
- Happy Puzzle Company Workshops.
In Year 7 students are streamed into 5 sets and they have 3 one hour lessons per week.
Topics in Year 7 include number work, statistics, shape, space and measures and the introduction of algebra.
In Year 8 students are setted on ability and also have 3 one hour lessons per week.
Topics in Year 8 include problem solving, geometry, statistics and further development of algebra.
In Year 9 students focus their efforts towards the SATs still in sets but later in the year the focus switches towards GCSE Mathematics. They have 4 one hour lessons per week.
In Years 10 and 11 students follow a modular course but have the opportunity to sit a linear exam at various points throughout the 2 years.
Other useful links:
Mymaths
www.mymaths.co.uk
User name: wakefieldcity
Password: maths
www.supermathsworld.com
Login 0712wake
www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk
