MATHEMATICS

Our principal aim is to help each pupil to achieve his or her full mathematical potential. With this in mind, pupils are taught in ability groupings until Form V. Lower sets are smaller, typically 10 pupils, whilst the top sets number approximately 25. Every effort is made to support and challenge all; those in lower sets benefit from individual help and the upper sets take part in many national competitions, often with great success.

Mathematics is a subject which leads to many possible careers. Business, Scientific Research and other areas of employment all actively seek those with the logical, problem solving skills of the Mathematician. Statistics, in particular, is a branch of the subject which is in increasingly great demand.

Forms I and II

Pupils enter Form I from a range of mathematical backgrounds and to ensure that all pupils gain the same essential skills, all sets follow the same basic curriculum in Forms I and II. Differentiation between sets is achieved through depth rather then pace, with upper sets looking at a rich array of problems and lower sets gaining reliable fluency with numbers, shape and first steps in algebra.

Forms III and IV

All pupils follow the Standard Grade course, with the great majority of pupils undertaking Credit level. With Form V in mind, most classes make a significant start to the Higher course towards the end of Form IV.

Form V

The Higher course provides an opportunity for pupils to continue their interest in Mathematics and to experience calculus for the first time. Whilst the majority of pupils take Higher, a small number choose to undertake the Intermediate 2 course and then, for suitably motivated candidates, proceed on to Higher in Form VI.

Form VI

Advanced Higher Mathematics and Applied Mathematics are available for specialists in Form VI. These are excellent courses which are popular, challenging and provide and an excellent preparation for those going on to university to study a wide range of disciplines.

Competitions
Pupils from upper sets enter the Junior, Intermediate and Senior Mathematical Challenges, national competitions designed to stretch and entertain able mathematicians. Every year most win certificates and a handful qualify for further competitions.  In the 2008 Junior Challenge, a record twenty-five Form I and Form II pupils were awarded Gold certificates, with three qualifying for the demanding Junior Mathematical Olympiad competition.

 The strength of our young mathematicians was further underlined when our team of four pupils came second in their regional final of the UK Team Challenge, qualifying for the national final in London.

 We also have a very strong record in the Scottish Enterprising Mathematics Competition, our team of four Form III and Form IV pupils once again qualifying for the final in 2008 where they finished in fifth place.

Large numbers of pupils of all ages enter the Scottish Mathematical Council Challenge, a problem solving competition run over two terms in which pupils have several weeks to work on sets of problems.  We always have a substantial number of winners who are invited to a prize day to receive their much coveted mugs!