Mathematics

More than three-quarters of Sixth Book study advanced Mathematics in combination with almost all groups of other subjects. This uniquely high proportion owes much to the cardinal importance of Mathematics today, when its language and techniques increasingly permeate the worlds of Science and Technology, Economics, Business and Finance, and even the Law. In its rôle as a universal discipline, Mathematics bears comparison with the position of Latin in past centuries. Apart from its manifold uses and applications, however, the 'gentle art of mathematics' intrigues and fascinates countless Wykehamists who delight in it for its own sake, and often study the subject at university.

The departmental staff consists of ten full-time and highly qualified specialists. There is an attractive Mathematics Library containing a wide selection of books and facilities for private study.

The style of the teaching is investigative, challenging and thought-provoking and includes, for example, free-standing talks and mathematical competitions. We believe that pupils make best progress when they are taught with others of similar knowledge and ability. The grading is kept under constant review and boys often move up three sets during their first year. The highest sets explore many topics more usually studied at university. On the other hand, we adapt our style of teaching to the needs of the mathematically less able, whose talents may lie elsewhere.

IGCSE

Three sets from each year-group sit IGCSE in their second year and the remaining five sets sit it in their third year. By the time of IGCSE nearly all pupils have advanced well beyond the prescribed syllabus.

Pre-U Mathematics

The course is designed to develop a broad knowledge and appreciation of the subject through work in the following main areas:

• algebra, vectors, coordinate geometry, analytical trigonometry;
• calculus and its applications, methods of numerical approximation;
• kinematics and mechanics, statistics and probability.