The understanding of numbers and the ability to manipulate them is a fundamental requirement in our society today. The aim of the Mathematics Department is to deliver the syllabus in such a way that each boy feels confident in using the knowledge and skills that he has acquired. We encourage each boy to think for himself and strive to instil in each boy an enjoyment and appreciation for this all-important subject. At the end of their time at the Under School, boys in Year 8 should be able to demonstrate successfully their mathematical understanding, knowledge and skills in the Common Entrance or Public School Scholarship exams, obtaining the best grades of which they are capable.
Boys in Years 3 and 4 are taught by their form teachers and in Year 5 they are taught by a specialist mathematics teacher. This remains the case throughout the rest of Years 6 to 8, with setting being introduced in Year 7. A common syllabus is followed so that movement between sets remains possible during this year. In Year 8, the boys follow either the Common Entrance or Scholarship course. A variety of textbooks and material is used. Up to the end of Year 5 teachers mainly use the Galore Park Junior Maths Books and So You Really Want To Learn Maths Books 1 and 2 and from Year 6 the emphasis is moved to the ‘Essential Mathematics’ series by David Rayner.
The boys look forward to the weekly Junior and Senior Maths Problems of the Week and successful entrants are drawn out of the Maths hats in assembly every Friday. Boys in Years 6, 7 and 8 are welcome to attend a Maths Clinic on Friday lunch-times as either a “patient” or “doctor”, in which any problems can be ironed out. The boys also enjoy taking part in national competitions: the MA Primary Mathematics Challenge is open to all boys in Years 5 and 6 and boys in Years 7 and 8 take part in the UKMT Junior Mathematics Challenge (and Olympiad).