“Valuing Learning,
Valuing Each Other”

Tel: 01377 253631

Email: office@driffield.e-riding.sch.uk

Mathematics

Changes to current teaching programme 2010 to 2011

Student - close up

There have been some radical national changes made to the teaching of mathematics over the last two years; in particular the removal of SAT’s tests in Key Stage 3 and the absence of coursework and controlled assessments as a part of the GCSE examination. Both these changes have had a significant effect upon our students.

The Mathematics department at Driffield School are anxious to respond to these changes and ensure that we use them to make a positive impact on our teaching. The additional teaching time that was devoted to the preparation for SAT’s and coursework has meant that we have been able to move our syllabus forward. We are excited to be able to refresh our teaching and accommodate lots of new developments.

Year 7 Key Stage 3
Students will begin a two year key stage 3 curriculum ending in the summer of 2012.

Year 8 Key Stage 3
Students will complete their key stage 3 curriculum at the end of year 8.

Year 9 Key Stage 4
Year 9 students will begin a two year GCSE course at Foundation or Higher level and sit a GCSE examination in the summer of 2012.

Year 10 Key Stage 4
The accelerated groups in year 9 will continue their course and be entered for a GCSE examination in the summer 2011.

All other year 10 student will begin the GCSE curriculum and will be entered when they are in year 11 for the examination in November 2011.

Year 11 Key Stage 4
All Higher tier students will be entered for the November GCSE examination. Foundation tier students will be entered for the June examination 2011.

All students will be given the opportunity to improve their grades if necessary in the summer of 2011.

The results for these examinations will be published in January 2011. We anticipate that successful students will subsequently be able to devote more curriculum time to their remaining GSCE subjects that have coursework, controlled assessments and summer examinations.

Students in set 1 will be given the chance to study GCSE Statistics.

In preparation for this examination we shall hold a mock GCSE in September. Two immersion days are planned to support revision.

The Mathematics department follows the National Numeracy Strategy using a variety of teaching methods and resources.

The course is differentiated to stretch the more able groups and support the weaker students. In year 7, students are set into three broad ability groups; Higher; Intermediate and Foundation. All students follow the same curriculum. Regular monitoring and evaluation ensures that students’ progress is frequently considered.

The course is divided into four main teaching strands; Number; Algebra; Handling Data and Shape; Space and Measures and ICT is incorporated into all four strands.

The department has its own computer suite and each Mathematics classroom is equipped with an interactive whiteboard.

Over 200 students took part in the National Junior Maths Challenge in April and we were delighted with the many certificates our students achieved. Other activities and competitions such as the Guardian newspaper’s code-breaking and a lunchtime club, “Eureka”, have also been incorporated into the school year.

We look forward to teaching students who are well prepared for lessons with pen, pencil, ruler, scissors, glue stick, compasses and angle measurer. Students will be given the opportunity to buy a scientific calculator during the autumn term should they not already have one.

I just wanted the opportunity to thank you and all your staff for making our daughter’s first year at Driffield School such a successful and enjoyable experience. Since starting last September we have been impressed by the feedback from your staff in way of letters, postcards, praise and encouragement for our daughter. it is very much appreciated.

Parents of Year 7 student

I am writing to congratulate the Year 10 and Year 11 students who volunteered to take part in the mock interview process today which I was part of…. Students had taken time to do preparation work and the effort to look at the part of an interviewee. The students were a credit to the school and their parents. They were eloquent, enthusiastic and asked pertinent and searching questions of the interviewers.

Business Mentor

I would like to pass on our compliments to the staff for their positive input over the last term and a half. We are very pleased with our daughter’s progress and significant improvement in many subjects.

Parent of Y10 student

My wife and I were delighted to be able to obtain tickets for the Saturday performance of 42nd Street. We wish to applaud all those involved in the brilliant show – not just the main characters, tap dancers and singers, but the excellent musicians and their two teachers; the remarkably efficient scene shifters; and all of your staff responsible for a really professional production.

Parent of student

I am writing to thank Driffield School and the Sports Department for their help and support during 2007. We ran four very successful school biathlons (run/swim) in Driffield. Thank you for your continued support.

British Pentathlon Development Officer

We are delighted with our daughter's transfer to Driffield School. She is enthusiastic about everything - her lessons, teachers and the other students - she never stops talking about them when she gets home. It is lovely to see her re-discovering her enjoyment of school life. Thank you for all your help and support with this.

Parent of Year 10 student

My daughter has just completed her A Levels and has now left Driffield School. However, I couldn’t let the occasion go without writing to thank you and your school for looking after her and giving her such a fine education – and more. Her splendid ‘A’ Level results stand testimony to hard work on her part and a lot of effort, encouragement and perseverance from her teachers.

Parent of Year 13 student

I would just like to know how much I enjoyed Driffield School’s production of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. The singing, notably from pupils in the lead parts, was fabulous. The acting in every case was excellent as was the musical accompaniment from the orchestra. Well done to all involved for supporting and encouraging the students in this way.

Parent of a student

On behalf of the President and members of Driffield Rotary Club, I write to thank the school for the cheque for £456.63, donated to go towards the cost of rebuilding the school in Sri Lanka destroyed by the Tsunami. It was very generous of the school’s Student Council to agreed to give the proceeds from the non-uniform in July to this very worthwhile project.

The International Committee of the Rotary Club

May I take this opportunity to thank your staff for a wonderful trip to Cork with the Driffield School Swing Band. The students were impeccable in all respects and a credit to the school and their teachers.

Parent of a student

We wish to place on record our sincere thanks, and would ask you to pass on our gratitude to all the members of staff who taught our daughter, particularly in the past two ‘A’ Level years.

Parent of Year 13 student

Driffield School is a vibrant community where teachers and students work hard and achieve well.

Ofsted Inspectors

In this increasingly effective school, standards are rising and have been consistently above average for the last three years.

Ofsted Inspectors

Parents speak well of the dedication and enthusiasm of the staff. They appreciate the way in which students are welcomed into the school and give a chance to reach their full potential.

Ofsted Inspectors

Students themselves say that they enjoy the huge range of opportunities open to them and feel well cared for.

Ofsted Inspectors

Students are confident, articulate and enthusiastic. Students of all ages mix well together because of the tutor system, which puts students of different ages in mixed tutor groups.

Ofsted Inspectors

Sixth Form students play an important role helping younger students to enjoy and take full part in the life of the school.

Ofsted Inspectors

Teachers have high expectations of what students can do and make these clear.

Ofsted Inspectors

Driffield takes good care of its students... Students work hard to reach increasingly challenging targets.

Ofsted Inspectors

This is a very successful Sixth Form. Results for AS/A2 and AVCE examinations are well above average, maintaining a consistently positive trend. Students overall achievement and progress in the Sixth Form are very good; many achieve well beyond expectation.

Ofsted Inspectors

Teaching is lively and challenging, and foster students’ responsibility and independent learning and results in very positive attitudes.

Ofsted Inspectors

Teaching and learning are good overall, with a high proportion of outstanding lessons.

Ofsted Inspectors

The school’s commitment to the care and well-being of students is evident in exemplary arrangements for child protection, safeguarding and health and safety matters.

Ofsted Inspectors