Mathematics

The mathematician's patterns, like the painter's or the poet's must be beautiful; the ideas, like the colours or the words must fit together in a harmonious way. Beauty is the first test: there is no permanent place in this world for ugly mathematics.

Godfrey Hardy (1877 - 1947) A Mathematician's Apology, London, Cambridge University Press, 1941.

The Mathematics department aims to show something of the structural coherence and intrinsic beauty of Mathematics and to point towards its applications to a diverse range of phenomena in the scientific and human worlds. There is a coursework task, which help to exemplify ways in which Mathematics is actually used. Our teaching style is a blend of the best traditional and modern practices; pupils are encouraged to use the appropriate tools for each problem - a computer, a calculator or the back of an envelope! Computing software regularly used include spreadsheets, graph plotters and dynamic geometry packages. Members of the Department are involved nationally both in syllabus development at all levels and in the work of the Mathematical Association.

Lower and Middle School Mathematics

All boys in the first three years have eight periods of Mathematics in each fortnight and they are setted from the outset (with their setting kept under constant review). The top two sets take Edexcel Higher Tier IGCSE Mathematics at the end of the Second Year; they then study a post-GCSE course in the Third Year. The rest of the year take Higher Tier IGCSE at the end of the Third Year.

Sixth Form Mathematics

Mathematics is popular at Tonbridge with about sixty percent of the Sixth Form (10 sets in each sixth form year) choosing to study the subject. The department offers Single Mathematics and Double Mathematics, following the MEI Mathematics, OCR AS & A Level Course.

The study of Mathematics develops skills of analysis, logical argument, problem solving and communication. As such, it is highly valued by universities and employers. Indeed, the number of careers requiring good mathematical skills continues to grow apace.

Single Mathematics

The syllabus is divided into three strands: Pure Mathematics, Mechanics and Statistics. The Pure Mathematics builds-up the tools a mathematician requires to solve problems and develops naturally from Higher Tier IGCSE work. The other two strands are both called Applied Mathematics and begin to show how the mathematical techniques learnt can be used to solve real problems. Of the six modules taken for Mathematics A-level, Pure (or Core) Mathematics modules C1, C2, C3 and C4 are compulsory. The other two modules taken are Applied ones, usually M1 and S1.

At the end of the Lower Sixth, the C1, C2 and M1 modules are sat. The higher sets will also take the S1 and will have made a head-start on C3. The C3, C4 and S1 completes the A2 course in the Upper Sixth. Some boys are able to complete a further three modules to give an AS in Further Mathematics as well.

Anyone who has studied a post-IGCSE Mathematics course at Tonbridge or elsewhere that includes some calculus will have a good idea of the flavour of the subject at this level. Those who are taking IGCSE in the Fifth Form and are thinking of Mathematics AS-level are advised to consider their choice carefully since it is a demanding course; an A or A* grade at GCSE, together with strong algebra, is very desirable.

Double Mathematics

This course, which leads to two A-levels in Mathematics and Further Mathematics, occupies two A-level choice blocks and uses the same modular scheme as for Mathematics. Sets take at least twelve modules for their final certification of two A-levels; indeed, it often happens that some boys go on to take fifteen to gain a further AS certification. Each of the three strands (Pure, Mechanics and Statistics) is studied to a greater depth than in the single Mathematics A-level.

Double Mathematics is a demanding course but an extremely valuable one. Anyone of Oxbridge calibre in Mathematics, Engineering, Physical Sciences or Computer Science is strongly advised to take this course and Double Mathematicians have been conspicuously successful in obtaining Oxbridge places in recent years. On the other hand, the demands of the course and the fast pace mean that it is only suitable for boys who have done a post-GCSE course either at Tonbridge or elsewhere.

The Facilities

The Maths Classrooms are located in the centre of the school. There are six large classrooms and three smaller ones, suitable for A level classes along with a Departmental Office. All the classrooms are equipped with a white board, computer and linked data projector.

Staff

The Department has 10 full time members of staff and one part time member.

• Full staff list

Beyond the Classroom

Maths Surgery

The Department runs "help and advice" sessions every Monday and Friday pursuits period. All members of the department assist with this on a rota basis. These surgeries also provide revision (both GCSE and A-level) at different times of the year.

Oxbridge Maths

A number of boys in each year apply to read Maths at Oxford and Cambridge. Preparation for this starts in the January of the lower sixth year and becomes more focussed in the Upper Sixth.

For those applying for Oxford there is an entrance test taken in November of the Upper Sixth followed by an interview in December. The Department helps with preparation for the Oxford Maths Entrance Test.

Those applying to Cambridge will be interviewed in December and, if successful, given an offer which will include taking some of the Cambridge STEP examinations in Mathematics. The Department has a programme of preparation for these candidates and other boys who relish the intellectual challenge that the STEP papers provide.

Maths Competitions and Olympiads

The top 30 or so mathematicians in each year enter the National Mathematics Contests. Those who do well qualify for the follow-up Olympiad competitions, targeted at the top 500 pupils in each year across the country. Tonbridge usually have about half dozen in each year qualifying for this prestigious competition and a few who then qualify for the further, even more selective rounds.

Beyond A level

A number of boys who have studied Maths for A level go on to study Maths or a Maths related subject at university, but many others use their Maths as a support for a scientific or a Social Science subject at university. Maths is rightly recognised by top universities as a very challenging A level, as indeed it is by many employers in the increasing range of careers that require numeracy and the ability to think through a logical argument.

Mathematics knows no races or geographic boundaries; for mathematics, the cultural world is one country.

Hilbert, David (1862 - 1943)