MATHEMATICS

Our principal aim is to help each pupil to achieve his or her full mathematical potential. With this in mind, pupils are taught in ability groupings until Form V. Lower sets are smaller, typically 10 pupils, whilst the top sets number approximately 25. Every effort is made to support and challenge all; those in lower sets benefit from individual help and the upper sets take part in many national competitions, often with great success.
Mathematics is a subject which leads to many possible careers. Business, Scientific Research and other areas of employment all actively seek those with the logical, problem solving skills of the Mathematician. Statistics, in particular, is branch of the subject which is in increasingly great demand.

HIGHLIGHTS

• We are hosts of the Independent Schools' Enterprising Mathematics Competition. This brings 24 teams together for a fiercely competitive and enormously rewarding day of problem solving. Top teams go forward to a national Scottish final and our own team has had much success in this, winning in 1998 and taking second place in 2003.

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COURSE INFORMATION

All sets follow the same basic curriculum in Forms I and II, with upper sets looking at a rich array of problems and lower sets gaining reliable fluency with numbers, shape and first steps in algebra. The great majority of pupils then go on to Credit level Standard Grade in Forms III and IV. With Form V in mind, most classes make a significant start to the Higher course towards the end of Form IV. Whilst the majority of pupils take Higher, a small number choose to do the Intermediate 2 course and then, for suitably motivated candidates, to go on to Higher in Form VI.

Advanced Higher Mathematics and Applied Mathematics are available for specialists in Form VI. These are excellent courses which are popular, challenging and an excellent preparation for those going on to university to study a wide range of disciplines.