Welcome to the Royal Grammar School Maths Department Website.

Here at the Royal Grammar School, Mathematics can be more than just a subject, both at A-Level and GCSE. So, accordingly, these pages are more than just an informative overview of the Maths department.

Hans Woyda Mathematics Competition Final 2007

All the boys at the Royal Grammar School study Mathematics to GCSE level in the first five years, nearly all at the highest tier of entry. The examination board used is Edexcel. The Department achieves a virtually perfect pass rate (A* to C grades). Approximately half of the yeargroup in year 11 also takes Additional Maths,  set by the Oxford and Cambridge board, which is both useful preparation for many of the more numerate subjects at A-level (including both Maths and Further Maths) and as a qualification in its own right.  During the 6th Form, about 120 boys study maths of one form or another in each year. Six sets study A-level Maths and two sets study Further Maths (leading to 2 or 3 A-levels). The examination board used for A-level is Edexcel.

UKMT Junior Team Challenge Finalists 2006

In Years 7 and 8 boys are taught in form groups. In Year 9 setting is introduced, with each two forms being rearranged into two sets; in Year 10 the amount of setting increases, with every three forms being arranged into four sets, which vary in size according to the ability of the students. Those who find the work more difficult are taught in smaller sets.

Areas of the subject taught in years 7 to 11 are arithmetic, algebra, trigonometry and geometry, the accent being on formal methods, accompanied by appropriate investigative or computer-based studies. To this end the department has a variety of ICT equipment at its disposal: two classrooms share a set of wireless, networked laptops; one room has an interactive whiteboard and projector and all staff have access to laptop computers and projectors for demonstration and teaching. Classes are also taken to the school's IT Centres as appropriate.

However, mathematics does not have to be restricted to the classroom, and for those who find such activities stimulating, there are many extra-curricular challenges available. All year 7 and 8 boys are entered for the UKMT Junior Maths Challenge, and in subsequent years substantial numbers enter for the Intermediate and Senior Challenges, with several going forward to the Mathematical Olympiads.

We also enter teams into various local and national maths competitions, with great success. In the Year 2006/07 the school were runners-up in the prestigious Hans Woyda maths competition.

During the Sixth Form, universities run various residential courses, and students are encouraged to attend these.