Numeracy and Maths

MATHS @ BLC

Welcome to the maths department at BLC. Over the past few years the Maths department at BLC has shown massively improved results, taken part in National Maths Competitions and school trips. We are committed to delivering a maths programme which challenges and inspires young people to enjoy and gain success.

Phase 4

Summer 2010 saw the best ever maths results at BLC for Year 11 GCSE and over 23% of Year 10 have already achieved a C or better grade at GCSE maths. Students start GCSE Maths at the beginning of Phase 4 (Year 9) and undertake the Edexcel Modular course sitting shorter exams throughout the year.

This allows students to re-sit modules to improve results and gain excellent grades by the end of Year 10. This year students who have already achieved an A grade in Maths GCSE by the end of Year 10 are sitting AS Level Maths starting with Statistics 1. BLC is also offering Entry Level Maths to support students starting the GCSE course.

In addition Phase 4 students are also offered ‘booster' Maths classes in Tuesdays extended learning and Thursday revision classes with a topic focus per revision class.

For 2012/13 there is not much of a change for Maths, although next year's Year 9 will be starting a linear course (not modular). This will be over 2 years and will cover all key areas of Number, Algebra, Shape and Space and Data Handling. Students will have mock exams termly to assess their progress and to form targets to work towards. Higher Year 11 students will also take GCSE Statistics next year.

Phase 3

Students in Phase 3 are streamed effectively at BLC to ensure they are in a set which will meet their needs the most and challenge them appropriately.

Students follow a pathway through their 3 years in Phase 3 increasing their levels each year. BLC Challenges are set in terms 1 and 3 to extended their knowledge of maths in the real world, this year's first challenge ‘Working Maths' were students are required to investigate maths required in work.

Phase 3 Maths classes have a strong emphasis on mental arithmetic, STEM rich problem solving tasks and making Maths relevant and fun for the learner.

Extra-curricular activities

Last year at BLC the maths department were involved in a variety of extra-curricular days and challenges. We had Gifted and Talented days for Phase 4 run by the Maths department at UWE, a Year 6 Maths trip to Techniquest and students of all ages competed in the National Maths Challenge. Students greatly enjoyed these challenges and gained great success, e.g. gold awards and coming 8th in the Bristol Regional Finals (out of over 24 schools).

The Maths Team

The Maths team at BLC are: Miss Walton, Mr Penhaligon, Ms Silk, Mr Edwards, Mr Khan, Mr Hedges, Miss Hudson and Mr Carson.