Mathematics is a specialism of Bristol Cathedral Choir School, along with the principal specialism of Music.

We aim to provide the very best mathematical education for students of all abilities. Those who are already keen on Maths we push to excel and reach the highest levels of achievement, including top grades at A level Maths and Further Maths. However, we also work closely with those who are not so keen, developing creative ways of teaching the subject and countering any notion that they cannot ‘do Maths’.  For example, rather than just marking answers ‘right’ or ‘wrong’, we encourage students whose working out is valid in some way, even if they have ultimately arrived at an incorrect solution to  a problem.

We are working to introduce Maths into different areas of the curriculum and to promote extra-curricular mathematical opportunities, drawing on the excellent work done by groups such as the Nrich Maths Project at Cambridge University. We seek to show all our pupils that Maths is relevant and applicable in many areas of life: it is not just about doing sums. For our younger pupils, the new Key Stage 3 framework shows how Maths can be applied in fields such as business and finance. Information Communications Technology (ICT) for Year 7 is delivered as part of the Maths curriculum, which provides another opportunity for our students to see the wider relevance of Maths.

Our Maths and games clubs provide excellent opportunities for pupils to learn more about the subject outside of lessons in a relaxed atmosphere. For those who are struggling in a particular area, we offer group Maths clinics and one-to-one help.

In time, using the additional resources that are available because Maths is a specialist subject at BCCS, we aim to establish the Academy as a Centre of Excellence for Mathematics, sharing its expertise with other local schools.  The popularity of puzzles such as Sudoku amply demonstrates that many British people enjoy the stimulus and challenge provided by Maths, yet in Britain, unlike in India and China, it is still considered widely acceptable to boast that you are ‘bad at Maths’. We hope to play our part in changing that attitude.

Click here for more information on the National Curriculum level descriptions at Key Stages 3 and 4.