Mathematics is at the heart of the curriculum and the department endeavours to encourage students to develop confidence in, and a positive attitude towards, Mathematics and to recognise its importance in their own lives and to society.

The mathematics curriculum is delivered via stimulating, varied activities in order to keep all students engaged. Investigations from the nrich website are used to encourage students to think as mathematicians.

We have extensive resources available on Frog including key notes and past papers. Links to our maths website allow students to access a large number of interactive resources aimed at furthering students’ confidence in Mathematics. There are help sheets available for in every key stage, covering a wide variety of topics. They are sorted by topic area, level and year so that they can be found with ease.  A number of Mathematics games are also available.

Around 70 to 80 year 12 students study AS level Mathematics and around 50 of these continue to A level with 25% gaining the prestigious A* grade. Many of our school leavers go on to higher education to study Maths or Maths related degrees.

At key stage 4, half of the year group study the OCR freestanding Additional Maths course alongside their GCSE. As well as providing challenge, it also gives a strong foundation for studying A level.

You have heard of Pythagoras but have you heard of a Pythagoras tree?

Enrichment Activities

All Mathematics students in year 13 attend the annual Maths Inspiration lectures in Birmingham. These are designed to inspire the next generation of mathematicians, engineers and other mathematical and numerate professionals. It's a chance for sixth formers to experience the UK's most inspiring maths speakers who present mathematics in the context of exciting, real-world situations.

A group of year 12 ‘further mathematicians’ has the opportunity to plan, prepare and deliver an interesting programme of maths activities to a group of gifted and talented pupils at a local primary school.

Students from all years can take part in World Maths Day. This is an international event where students across the world unite to set a new world record in answering mental arithmetic questions. Around 5 million students from schools in 213 countries are involved in a global celebration of numbers. Competitors compete against students in other countries in real-time battles of mental arithmetic.

The Gold Run is a maths and science day for all year 8 students. Various activities are organised including puzzles, tricks and illusions, games and a maths photography competition. This is a fun and exciting day for all pupils.  

National Competitions

All students from years 8, 10, 12 and 13 have the opportunity to take part in the United Kingdom Mathematics Trust individual challenges.These Maths challenges are lively, intriguing multiple choice question papers, which are designed to stimulate interest in maths. Our students have achieved much success in these competitions with some high achievers being invited to take part in the first round of the British Mathematical Olympiad.

Each year teams of 4 students are selected to represent the school in the UKMT Junior, Intermediate and Senior team challenges. The UKMT Team Challenges promote mathematical dexterity, team working, and communication skills. They give pupils the opportunity to compete against pupils from other schools in their region.
  
Can you find the pattern in this sequence?

3    10    5    16    8    4    2    1

Can you complete this one?

28    14    7    22    11    34    17    52    26 ...

What do you notice? Do you want to be a famous mathematician?  Solve the Collatz Conjecture.

Learn more here.

Here are some thoughts on Mathematics from students at Queen Mary’s.

“There’s always something more difficult in maths. It’s very much appreciated.”
Zakiyyah Fahmida, Year 12

“Maths, I feel there is no life without it, everything revolves around maths.”
Hena Saghair, Year 12

“Maths is fun and exciting but challenging as well. I really enjoy maths at Queen Mary’s.”
Naomi Fallon, Year 7

“Maths is infectious.”
Nirali Parekh, Year 7

“Maths here is fun and interesting. I am much better at it now.”
Charlotte Johnson-Howe, Year 7