Mathematics Department
Mathematics is a popular and successful subject at The John Lyon School. In 2008,
77% of candidates passed GCSE at grades A* and A, and 83% of candidates achieved
A or B in both A2 Mathematics and Further Mathematics. Approximately 70% of
Year 11 pupils continue with Mathematics at AS level, and each year about five pupils
are prepared for Oxbridge entry. The department was highly commended in the
Inspection Report of November 2004.
Mathematics is a core subject up to Year 11. Pupils are streamed from Year 9, as
timetable constraints allow. Class-sizes average about 22, with slightly more in higher
ability groups, and fewer in lower sets. A typical class size in the Sixth Form is about
ten pupils. Within the school, there is a genuine enthusiasm for learning in general,
and for mathematics in particular. Teaching Mathematics at John Lyon presents the
opportunity to teach highly motivated and talented pupils. It is a highly challenging
and rewarding task.
The EDEXCEL IGCSE course is begun by all pupils in Year 9. We expect that all
pupils will sit this exam at the Higher Level at the end of Year 11. About 25 of these
pupils will also sit an examination in Additional Mathematics at the same time, though
this is currently under review. The EDEXCEL GCE course is followed in the Sixth
Form. Typically, in each year, there are four or five single-subject groups and a
separate group studying for Mathematics and Further Mathematics. Higher ability
single-subject pupils have taken the option of studying for Further Mathematics A2.
Potential Oxbridge candidates are identified in the Lower Sixth and receive extra
teaching from January. Pupils are offered some choice between Statistics and
Mechanics for their Application modules.
The subject is taught by seven specialists. Extra-curricular activities include the
Mathematics Challenge, Inter-School quiz competitions and after-school clubs (codebreaking, puzzles, games, …). Schemes of work are more ‘advisory’ than
‘prescriptive’ towards teaching methods, and teachers are encouraged to experiment
with different approaches. Development of the use of ICT has been strong and
continues to be a focus of the department. Staff pool and share resources and ideas via
the school network and regular departmental meetings. All members of the
Department are expected to take on some responsibilities and are encouraged to pursue
their areas of particular interest. The department and the pupils benefit from having
teaching staff with a wide range of experiences outside mathematics.
The head of the department is responsible for the teaching and learning within the
department and is accountable to the senior management team, and would expect to be
consulted and informed about all activities within the department. The head of
department is expected to co-ordinate the termly and yearly cycles of teaching
allocations and school assessments in order to monitor and maintain the high quality of
teaching and learning across the school. Support exists through dedicated teachers
taking responsibility for specific key stages. Maintenance of shared departmental
records, chairing department meetings and reporting to the senior management team
form integral responsibilities of the role, as does communication of school strategy and
development priorities. Annual reviews of examination success highlight areas for
departmental development. The head of department is responsible for establishing
budgetary expectations, and ensuring the department adheres to them!
The head of department must oversee the reporting and assessment schedule, ensuring
that school schedules and departmental teaching dovetail neatly, and that parents are
receiving appropriate feedback about their sons’ progress. Communications with
parents may be undertaken by individual teachers, but the head of department should
be informed at all times, and be prepared to intervene as and when it is expedient. The
contribution to UCAS references is also overseen by the head of department.
The head of department is responsible for the health and safety of all students and
teachers in the department. The recent installation of a dedicated ICT suite highlights
the need for a conscientious approach to security and safety.
The 11+ examination is set and marked externally. The head of department oversees
the writing and marking of the 13+ examination, which must take place without error.
The syllabus for the examination is published to feeder schools and candidates, who also
expect feedback on the examination, either in a face-to-face meeting or in the form of a brief
examiner’s report and mark scheme.
The Head of Mathematics is required to oversee the professional development of
members of the department. This takes place in the form of regular professional
development reviews, on a bi-annual cycle, and requires understanding the strengths
and aspirations of the staff. Suitable training course and development opportunities
need to be identified and targeted.
The post of Head of Mathematics carries with it the role of Head of Faculty,
overseeing Economics and ICT alongside Mathematics. Whilst these subjects have
their own dedicated heads who are responsible in the first instance, the Head of
Faculty is expected to be informed and accountable for the activities in these areas.
This requires taking an overview of all the relevant aspects of school life, as listed
above, in those other departments. Regular attendance at Heads of Faculty meetings
ensures that school development and strategy priorities can be conveyed to
departments swiftly and clearly. The Head of Faculty is expected to be able to
assimilate an overview of the school’s activities, and hence take a constructive part in
strategic discussions concerning school policy. This is balanced by a need to ensure
that the policies are then implemented through the work of the departments.
This position is subject to an ENHANCED Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure in the event of a successful
application. Copies of the School’s Code of Practice and Policy on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders is
available from the Personnel Department.