Staff and Responsibilities
Solomon Berhane Director of Learning
Dave Creighton, teacher of Maths and Director of Student Progress for Year 9
Rebecca Carr, teacher of Maths
Katherine Sutcliffe, teacher of Maths
Di Griffin, teacher of Maths
Chris Tracey, teacher of Maths
Julie Lucas, Teacher of Maths
Val Morson, Teaching Assistant

Rooms and facilities
The team is situated in a dedicated Mathematics block with each member having his/her own teaching room. Each classroom is well resourced with its own stock of equipment. Each classroom is equipped with an interactive whiteboard. In addition to this we have an excellent software package called mymaths. This online package helps us to set the pupils homework. Parents can easily follow the progress of their child by looking at the amount of work that their child has done during their time on mymaths. One room has its own suite of computers.

Teaching and learning
We offer pupils a wide variety of mathematical activities. These include revision clubs, drop-in clubs and puzzle clubs. We also hold a Junior Mathematical Challenge each year. This is open to year 7 & 8 students and we obtain a good proportion of certificates. We have also organized the very popular fantasy football league for the last 4 years.
Each individual child that arrives at Willingdon is settled into a group immediately on entering the school, according to their CAT scores, Key stage 3 year groups and Key stage 2 SATs results. Key Stage 3 year groups and Key Stage 4 year groups are in two parallel halves.
At Key Stage 3 the Department uses the successful “Formula One” scheme of work, written directly to fit the National Numeracy Strategy which includes tiered textbooks and a comprehensive teacher’s guide which is also used to set online homework.
Key Stage 4 classes work towards the Edexcel board GCSE, with the entry-level certificate available for less able candidates. Students are grouped in sets according to their mathematical ability. The setting arrangements are frequently reviewed to take into account the pupils’ progress.
83% of students gained level 5 or above at the end of Key Stage 3 last year and 75% gained an A*-C grade at GCSE Maths.
Edexcel’s GCSE Mathematics is in line with the new two-tier assessment model stipulated by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. The new assessment model allows all students to gain a Grade C in GCSE Mathematics if their work proves to be deserving.

Equipment
Students are required to bring a selection of mathematical equipment with them every lesson. This is to keep the lessons running smoothly. The equipment needed is:
A scientific calculator and a geometry set. These items can both be purchased from the school at a combined cost of £5.00.
Every member of the Maths department is dedicated to helping every pupil that comes to Willingdon School. The teachers in the Maths department have a wide variety of skills and are able to help with all mathematical problems that you may have.