Maths

“The beauty of mathematics only shows itself to more patient followers.” Maryam Mirzakhani (Fields Medalist 2014)

“To those who do not know mathematics it is difficult to get across a real feeling as to the beauty, the deepest beauty, of nature. …If you want to learn about nature, to appreciate nature, it is necessary to understand the language that she speaks in.” Richard Feynman (Nobel Prizewinner 1965)

“Pure mathematics is, in its way, the poetry of logical ideas.” Albert Einstein

TEASER

Whether you are a budding mathematician, scientist, economist or simply enjoy solving puzzles, then we can give you manifold opportunities to explore Mathematics. We hope to set you on your journey into the wonders of the subject and its diverse applications.

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There are many ways that we will encourage you to get involved with Maths beyond the curriculum:

Competitions and Clubs

All students have the opportunity to prepare for and take part in a variety of maths challenges and competitions through the school year. The individual challenges of the UK Mathematics Trust (UKMT) will test your problem-solving skills. Our most successful students each year take part in the follow-on rounds including the Mathematical Olympiad. In the team competition, a team of A-level students competes in a competition against other schools in the region for a place in the national team competition.

In the Hans Woyda Team Competition we field a team of four students from year 9 up to year 13 to compete against other schools in the London area over a number of matches. The format requires the team to work both individually and together.

Through a variety of clubs run by the department, all students have the option to get involved in practising for these competitions and exploring mathematical ideas. The department publishes a list of its favourite brain teasers and there are commendations for the most elegant solutions.

Sixth form opportunities

In the sixth, enrichment opportunities in Mathematics are designed to build upon the A-level curriculum to develop your interest in the subject. You will be aiming to develop the essential reasoning skills that are required for studying Mathematics, Science, Technology, Engineering or Economics at university.

There is plenty of opportunity for leadership too, as students are encouraged to contribute ideas or lead discussions on Mathematics that they have read about in their own time.

University Entrance Papers Sessions

We run weekly sessions throughout the year to prepare and mentor students who would like to sit either the MAT or STEP papers in mathematics as part of their university applications for Mathematics, Computer Science or Engineering. These papers are designed to stretch A-level students. They are a requirement for some university courses and strengthen your application

Maths Fest

Each year the department organises a trip to Maths Fest in London, which comprises wide-ranging talks by well-known mathematicians, interactive events and the chance to speak with companies that employ maths graduates. Here are some of the highlights from students:

“We were surprised to hear the amazing intricacies within prime numbers and the extensive cooperative online work carried out to prove the ‘Twin primes conjecture’; a conjecture that there are an infinite number of twin primes that differ by two. As we learnt, the landscape of mathematical research is rapidly changing in an age of technology where thousands can team up online in an attempt to prove such theories.”

“TV star and mathematician Hannah Fry delivered an exciting but cautionary insight into the use of algorithms in our modern world.”

“As the day finished, we left the theatre with a new outlook on mathematics.”