Bolton School Boys' Division has a highly successful Mathematics
Department.
There are currently eight highly qualified Mathematics
specialists teaching Mathematics from Year 7 to Oxbridge entry. We
are situated in eight classrooms, seven of which contain an
Interactive Whiteboard. We incorporate a variety of software into
our schemes of work including websites and examination preparation
material.
In Year 7, emphasis is placed on the use of non-calculator work,
and in trying to ensure that all pupils have the basic skills
established, before these are developed further at a later
stage.
From Year 8 to Year 11 the pupils are set in groups according to
ability. Calculators are introduced in Year 8, but mental skills
are still actively encouraged. In Years 9 to 11, the subject builds
upon previously acquired knowledge, and preparation for GCSE
begins. We have recently changed GCSE and are now following the
IGCSE course run by Edexel.
In year 12, three courses are offered:
Pure Mathematics with Mechanics
Pure Mathematics with Statistics
Further Mathematics
The Further Mathematics course is popular, and is available as
part of a four A Level package.
The department runs a lunch-time mathematics clinic every day,
at which boys from any year group can receive help from a member of
the departmental staff.
We also enter pupils for the United Kingdom Mathematics
Challenges Junior (Years 7 and 8), Intermediate (Years 9, 10 and
11) and Senior (Years 12 and 13) levels and a team competition.
These are national competitions where the pupils can not only win a
certificate (Bronze, Silver or Gold) but can (depending on their
mark) be entered for the highly prestigious Olympiad
competitions.
Year 5 and 6 pupils can test their Mathematics knowledge by
taking our fun online Maths Challenge.
Head of Department
D N Palmer, BSc
Members of the Department
R Booth, BSc, PhD
P Costello, BSc
R M Harrison, BSc
N C Holmes, BSc
C Hunter, BSc
D Stevens, BSc
D L Stevens, BSc
J L Taylor, BSc