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. 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 includes spreadsheets, graph plotters and dynamic geometry packages.
The support given by members of the Department extends far beyond standard lesson time. Help and advice sessions take place every Monday and Friday during Pursuits periods, which are accompanied by revision surgeries at different times of the year as GCSE and A Level exams approach. There is also extensive support each year for the many Tonbridge mathematicians who apply to read maths at Oxford and Cambridge.
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 are interviewed in December and, if successful, given an offer which includes 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.
The Arcana Mathematics Society meets weekly to work through a series of mathematical problems, and there are also talks given by boys and external speakers. For younger boys, there is also the Intermediate Problem-Solving Society, which meets weekly to work through Intermediate Olympiad problems. A number of boys organise themselves to gather regularly in the early evening to explore problems that have appeared in international competitions.
Over 200 boys participate in UKMT Mathematical Challenges during the course of any School year. Those who do well qualify for the follow-up Olympiad competitions, targeted at the top 500 pupils in each year across the country. In 2021–22, Tonbridge School achieved the best results in the British Mathematical Olympiad Round 2 of any UK school since the 1980s (two joint-top and another in the top five). In 2024, two of our boys represented the six-man UK team in the International Mathematical Olympiad in Bath. The team finished sixth in the world, which was their most successful result since 1996. Members of the Department are involved nationally with the United Kingdom Mathematics Trust.
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 support for a scientific or 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.
Head of Department
