Mathematics is like marmite, you either like it or you don’t. For those of us who enjoy learning mathematics we bask in the challenge of a complicated calculation for hours at end. For others, mathematics is like learning a foreign language.  Most of us don’t even have the patience to double check the change that is returned to us at bars or supermarkets. There have been stories when children have come in to school saying they have had nightmares about the algebra they have been studying that week!

Einstein once said that imagination is the key to a successful mathematician, and children are the greatest mathematicians. However, once we reach adulthood we abandon all imagination we once had as children and the fear of mathematics sets in, as a human, imagination and creativity are a few of the great gifts we are blessed with, we seldom use these gifts as we rely on others or computers to do the work for us. The mathematics department tries to guide our children to the imaginations, so they are independent thinkers. Hopefully one day the next Newton or Einstein will emerge from St. Anthony’s college.

R.Sutcliffe.

KEY STAGE  3

Yr 7  According to the National Curriculum the year 7 have to complete fractions, ratio, perimeters, areas, volumes, graphs, angles, percentages, algebra., writing formulae, handling data, probability, shapes, number patterns, multiplication, division, transformation, averages, and decimals at level 5/6. 

Yr 8   Topics completed during the  year are  from the national curriculum KS3  which are  Algebra , areas, volumes ,angles , graphs, fractions, ratio, numbers and their sequences, probability, percentages, transformations, writing formulae and equations, decimals, handling data, averages and spread, different shapes and their names at higher level.(6/7)

Yr 9   At the end of year 9 the students sit a checkpoint examination from Cambridge which is like a  SAT TEST before they go to key stage 4.The whole course is divided into 4 sections:                                                                                   

Numbers: Place value, rounding, significant figures, decimal places, standard form, estimating, factors, multiples, integers, prime , square, square root and cube numbers, fractions, decimals, percentages, finance, profit, loss, interest, ratios, direct proportion, 12 hour to 24 hour clock, units of mass,  volume, lengths, inequalities and indices.                     

Algebra: Equations, sequences, the Nth rule, term to term rule, graphs, of linear functions, writing expression, algebraic substitution, changing the subject,  simultaneous equations, using both graphical and elimination method, quadratic equations using factors.                                                   
     
Shape, space and measures: Lines and angles, constructing geometric figures, transformation, reflection, rotation, translation, enlargement, area and  circumference of a circle, areas, volumes, perimeters, surface areas, angles relationship, conversion graphs , Pythagoras theorem, sine, cosine and tangent ratios. Handling data: collecting data and displaying using bar charts, pie charts, histograms, probability, mean, median, mode, range, nets plane, and bearing.      

KEY STAGE 4:  St Anthony’ s offers IGCSE EDEXCEL examinations. In this course we have to answer two sets of exams at the end of year 11. Both the papers allow the use of calculator because this course is used to find how the pupils are able to use the given formula to solve the different types of everyday problems. The whole course is usually finished by October of year 11 and revised thoroughly during the next two months and the students only practise their knowledge on past papers for the rest of the course till they answer their final examination which is usually in May. The board offers two tiers; foundation and higher. 

The whole course is divided into 6 sections. They are the following;

NUMBER AND THEIR SYSTEM; Integers, fractions, decimals, powers and roots, set language and notation, percentages, ratio and proportion, degree of accuracy and standard form.

EQUATIONS, FORMULAE AND IDENTITIES; Use of symbols, algebraic manipulation, expressions and formulae, linear equations, proportion(direct and indirect) simultaneous  linear and quadratic equations, quadratic equations and inequalities.

SEQUENCES, FUNCTIONS AND GRAPHS; sequences, functional notation, graphs and calculus.

GEOMETRY; lines and triangles, polygons, symmetry, measures, constructions, circle properties, geometrical reasoning, trigonometry,  Pythagoras`theorem, mensuration and similarity.

VECTORS AND TRANSFORMATION GEOMETRY; vectors and transformation geometry.

STATISTICS;graphical representation of data, statistical measures and probability.
           
KEY STAGE 5. This  course is studied during two years . In the first year you have to do 3 modules and in the second year another 3. The first year you have a non calculator paper and the remaining are all calculator papers.

Head of the Department: Ms. Saozinha Pinto