Mathematics is one of the core subjects both in school and in life. We need Mathematics to survive! Just doing the basic essentials is dependent on your ability to do Mathematics – to tell the time, to go shopping, to travel the world, to succeed in sports etc. In the Mathematics department we aim to provide all pupils with the necessary mathematical skills which they will need in their everyday lives and future careers.
Mathematics is a subject that opens doors and provides opportunities: doors to employment and further/higher educational courses and opportunities to learn about the relevance of Mathematics to everyday life.
Mathematics is all around us. It exists in the proportions of artistic works, in the scores of our favourite songs and in the physical structures we live and work in daily. It is also the bedrock of many other subjects including the Sciences, Economics and Engineering and is extremely relevant to subjects like Psychology and Design.
The study of Mathematics can develop a host of skills that are essential to students continuing in their studies as well as those currently in or entering the workplace. These include problem-solving, logic and reasoning, and attention to detail. Mathematics can also lead to careers in finance, business, IT and teaching, among others.
Members of Staff
Full time Maths Teachers: C Gilmurray, P Connolly
Also teaching Maths: N Foy, C O’Reilly
Key Stage 4
Pupils in Years 8, 9 and 10 follow the Northern Ireland Curriculum for Mathematics and Financial Capability. We cover Shape & Space, Measures, Number, Algebra, and Data Handling over the three years.
Pupils have the opportunity to develop skills in a range of areas including mental arithmetic, problem solving, logical reasoning, managing information, communication and working with others.
Key Stage 4
At the end of year 10, subject teachers will closely analyse performance/potential of all pupils. According to ability and need, pupils are entered either for CCEA GCSE Mathematics (High or Foundation) or Essential Skills Mathematics. The GCSE follows a modular course, with pupils completing modules in Year 11 and Year 12. Each pupil is entered for a qualification and tier of entry which is considered to be suitable for his/her ability.
GCSE Further Mathematics is also available as an option at GCSE. The GCSE Further Mathematics course is a vital foundation for A-Level Mathematics where pupils study the full width of modules in Pure Mathematics, Mechanics and Statistics.
Pupils at St Aidan’s High School continually produce excellent results in GCSE Mathematics. In recent exams, our pupils passed GCSE Mathematics with percentages well above the corresponding figure for Non Grammar schools in Northern Ireland.
“There are things which seem incredible to most men who have not studied mathematics.”
Aristotle