Welcome
Our primary goal is that students gain a positive mathematical experience and fulfil their potential by delivering maths in the most enjoyable and effective way possible.
We believe that mathematical learning is life long and so as well as preparing students for success in exams we develop problem solving skills, as well as those of team work and organisation.
Staff
The maths faculty at The Vale Academy is made up of enthusiastic, specialist teachers. We are an approachable team and we welcome students who seek help during breaks in theacademy day and also after 3.30pm. We often have groups of students working with members of staff at these times both by invitation and voluntarily.
There are six full time teachers of maths and a specialist learning mentor.
Mrs. Summerton : Curriculum Leader Maths
Mrs Zietsman: Assistant Curriculum Leader
Mrs. Langdon:Teacher and House Leader
Mrs. Sellars: Teacher
Mrs Manohar: Teacher
Mrs Green : Teacher
Mr Bradley: Teacher and Assistant Principal
Mrs. Mordue: Specialist Learning Mentor
Mrs Cartwright: Maths Instructor/ Support Assistant
Resources
We are based in a suite of six dedicated classrooms, all equipped with interactive white boards. We have a range of maths software and website applications which students can access from home as well as during maths lessons in the college ICT suites. The faculty has invested in purchasing up to date text books and software across the entire age and ability range.
What students enjoy about learning maths at The Vale Academy
Students enjoy learning maths through a range of teaching and learning styles which allow them to be creative and to learn in a variety of ways. In particular students tell us they enjoy the challenges of working in pairs and groups as well as using maths websites and ICT applications.
In KS3 and KS4 students are taught in ability groups which are reviewed on a regular basis. They follow schemes of work which allow teaching and learning to be tailored to the abilities and potential of each group.
Key Stage 3
All students follow the National Curriculum and by the end of the Key Stage students achieve the full range of levels. Students learn through a range of activities which include pair and group work, mathematical investigations, using ICT to enhance their understanding and application of maths and using maths in real life scenarios.
Key Stage 4
All students follow the Edexcel GCSE linear course which has two tiers, foundation and higher and it is split into 2 papers. The students are entered early (November in Year 11) allowing the different pathways to take different options. Opportunities are then made available to students to re-take their GCSE at their current level to improve their qualification or at a Higher level. Also an extra GCSE in Statistics is offered to the majority of students and for those who are looking in studying Mathematics further, a GCSE in Further Pure Maths.
Intervention
The faculty has a range of intervention strategies to support students who would benefit from some extra small group or one to one tuition to enable them to make steady progress towards their target levels and grades. These include targeted in class support and the use of the specialist learning mentor to engage with students outside of maths lessons to address specific mathematical knowledge and skills.
Key Stage 5
Many students choose to stay on and study Maths at AS and A2 level in The Vale Academy Sixth Form. Students follow the OCR syllabus. Groups are small, often less than ten, which allows for the excellent teacher- student relationships which are essential for students to reach their potential at this level. We also offer Further Maths.
