MATHEMATICS AT RICHARD HUISH COLLEGE
THE STUDENTS
Our students are 16-19 year olds, about 90% of whom are studying AS or A-Levels and who are very
keen to do well. In recent years the number of students choosing to study Mathematics with us has
grown considerably. Several Richard Huish Mathematics students go on to Oxbridge each year and the
Further Mathematics groups in particular yield a significant proportion of the college’s overall
Oxbridge cohort. Results are excellent. For example, the pass rate for A2 Mathematics last year was
99.5%, with 49% gaining grades A or A* and over 70% gaining A* - B. The college also provides a highly
successful Further Maths A2 course, with a pass rate of 100% for many years and about 90% gaining
grades A* to B.
STAFFING
There are currently eleven members of the Mathematics Team: the Course Manager, five other fulltime staff and five part-time staff members. The team has a very wide range of teaching experience in
both colleges and schools. Furthermore, several members have taught across the entire range of the
specifications over many years, which means that we are ideally suited to welcome new colleagues
whatever their current teaching experience might be.
ACCOMMODATION AND EQUIPMENT
The department is very well accommodated, occupying a cluster of five spacious and well designed
rooms in a newly-built block within the college. All rooms are identically equipped, with a networked
computer, SMART board and associated software, and each room has its own ample storage
cupboard. The department also has its own well-equipped office with space for all department
members to work.
COURSES
The courses currently offered are:
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AS and A2 Level Mathematics (EDEXCEL)
AS and A2 Level Further Mathematics (EDEXCEL)
GCSE Mathematics (EDEXCEL – linear)
GCSE Statistics (EDEXCEL – linear)
For September 2014 we will also be offering AS Statistics (AQA), leading to A2 Statistics from the same
board in September 2015.
'AS/A2’ Level Mathematics is a popular course within the college and is currently studied by over 500
students across both year groups, offered to students with at least a B grade at GCSE in Mathematics.
As well as studying Pure Mathematics (units C1 to C4), students take Decision Maths (unit D1) in the
lower sixth and either Statistics (S1) or Mechanics (M1) in the upper sixth. There are currently twelve
Mathematics classes in the lower sixth and eight in the upper sixth.
'AS/A2’ Level Further Mathematics is a course attracting over 60 students each year in the lower
sixth, the majority of whom will continue to study it in the upper sixth – indeed Richard Huish is the
largest centre for Further Mathematics in the south-west. Students take mathematics in two timetable
“columns” (our term for an “option block”), completing all the work for 'A2' Level Mathematics in the
lower sixth before proceeding to the Further Mathematics course in the upper sixth. In addition to
Pure Mathematics (C1 to C4 in the lower sixth and FP1 to FP3 in the upper sixth), the students take
options in the areas of Statistics, Mechanics and Decision Mathematics. There are currently three sets
of Further Mathematics in the L6 and two in the U6.
GCSE Mathematics (Retake) This is offered to a small group of students studying level 3 courses in
other subjects who have met all of the college’s entry requirements except the C grade or better in
GCSE Maths. These students sit the Edexcel Linear GCSE (Foundation Tier) in either November or June
depending on their readiness to take the exam.
GCSE Mathematics or GCSE Statistics (Progression Sixth) The college also offers a level 2 programme
of study called “Progression Sixth” to a small group of students comprising of five GCSE courses, which
include GCSE Mathematics (Foundation Tier) for those without a C grade in the subject. Progression
Sixth Students who already have a C grade in Mathematics take GCSE Statistics, or may follow and
extension programme for Higher Tier GCSE Mathematics if appropriate.
Enrichment Several students choose to take the UK Mathematics Senior Challenge, and we have had
students win through to the “Kangaroo” or to the next round of the “Olympiad” in recent years. There
is also very effective support each year for Oxford entrance exams (both for Mathematics and for the
mathematical components of the Physics exams), and for STEP later in the year for those applying to
Cambridge or Warwick in particular. Next year we hope to widen our enrichment offer with a
formalised programme of talks, visits and “Maths Club” meetings for interested students.
THE PERSON
We are looking to appoint an enthusiastic teacher of Mathematics from September for a full-time
permanent post, which has arisen because one of our colleagues will be moving to another region.
The department has a great deal of subject expertise and offers a wide range of courses at levels 3
and 2. The post therefore could ideally suit someone looking for a broad experience of sixth form
teaching in an experienced and supportive team. Consequently, we welcome applications from
teachers with backgrounds in either schools or colleges, including NQTs.
The person appointed will be responsible for consistently and effectively delivering high quality
teaching and learning to help ensure we get the best from all of our students. The position also
involves contributing to the pastoral work of the college by acting as a personal tutor to a group of
students, working mainly individually to ensure they maximise their performance across their
programme of study.
Jon Middle (Course Manager of Mathematics)
March 2014