The Mathematics Department is staffed by five specialist teachers and is accommodated in a dedicated suite of rooms in the Pring building.

Setting high standards in the learning experience of our students goes hand in hand with creating and maintaining a colourful learning environment, incorporating challenging activities within our teaching and using stimulating resources. Embracing wholeheartedly the use of ICT, as a way of enhancing students’ understanding and enjoyment of the subject, is a focus of the Department. We are committed to enabling each girl to fulfil her potential whilst nurturing an appreciation of Mathematics and fostering an awareness of the vital role that Mathematics plays in many aspects of the modern world.

Our students are encouraged to participate in a range of opportunities including:

United Kingdom Mathematics Trust Challenges
Devon Team Mathematical Challenges
Royal Institution Masterclasses at Exeter University
One-day conference “Mathematics is your Future!”
Events organised by the Mathematical Association such as the excellent “Maths Inspiration” lectures showing how Mathematics is linked to almost everything we do.

Through these, our students can be extended mathematically, encouraged to think ahead about their choices and careers and simply be helped to develop an appreciation of Mathematics that is not necessarily related to curriculum and exams.

We encourage all students to read some of the latest books that we have acquired for the school library to help them make connections and build a bigger picture which goes beyond the limited requirements of the syllabus. Students (and parents) who make the effort are frequently surprised by the discovery that Mathematics has a very rich history and provides important links to all sorts of situations. Several book reviews written by the students themselves are made available to others.

The number of students who stay on to study Mathematics or Further Mathematics at A-level is substantial and a clear indication of the Department’s success. We are proud of our students’ results but even more of the way they become confident and competent mathematicians in a caring environment that they find fully supportive of their needs.

Dr P Merisi, Head of Mathematics