Mathematics is important in our everyday life, allowing us to make sense of the world around us and to manage our lives. Using mathematics enables us to model real-life situations and make connections and informed predictions. It equips us with the skills we need to interpret and analyse information, simplify and solve problems, assess risk and make informed decisions.

It plays an important role in areas such as science or technologies, and is vital to research and development in fields such as engineering, computing science, medicine and finance. Learning mathematics gives children and young people access to the wider curriculum and the opportunity to pursue further studies and interests.

Broad General Education
The S1-S3 Maths course is fully differentiated so that pupils work at their own ability level, develop confidence in our subject and have a positive attitude to further study. Importance is placed on challenging and motivating learners and entry to national problem solving competitions is encouraged. There is a rigour programme in numeracy consisting of 3 different levels which pupils work through at their own pace.
Throughout S1-3 written and on line homework is regularly given, the amount depending upon ability and the course being followed and is an essential part of each course. The emphasis being placed on completion of homework, with assistance if required. Pupils are given a week to complete an assignment which gives them ample time to consult with teachers, at lunchtimes or breaks , discuss with their peers or family, study worked examples in their textbooks or access power points on www.mathsrevision.com. It is essential that they mark their homework from the answers provided and follow up any wrong answers.
 
We also have a subscription for www.supermathsworld.com/and all pupils are given the school password so that they can have  access to extra practice . The grading system for homework  is as follows:

Grade 1: The majority of questions have been attempted, marked and are mostly correct with working shown.
Grade 2: More than half of questions have been attempted, marked and are mostly correct with working shown.
Grade 3: Less than half of questions have been attempted and marked.

This system will also act as a track for the class teacher, you as a parent/carer and the young person, on how well they are coping with the current class work and inform ‘next steps’/ revision areas.
The routine use of a calculator is not allowed, although a calculator does remain an essential tool across all year groups and every pupil should own a scientific calculator and bring this to school everyday. Recommended calculators are available to purchase from the Maths Dept. at a reduced rate. 


SENIOR PHASE S4-S6
In S4-S6, the National Qualification at Level 3 Lifeskills, National 4 Maths, and National 5 Maths are available as well as the CFE Higher. Advanced Higher in Mathematics is available in S6.

Daily practice at home is an essential part of each course to ensure pupils are ready for the next day’s lesson. National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher Maths are fast paced courses and require pupils to retain and apply a significant increase in the number of processes than was the case in their previous level in Maths and it is therefore essential that pupils strive to keep up with the work, do their very best to attend all lessons and work hard in class to prevent falling behind. All pupils are given course notes which should be used for regular revision and to make their own condensed notes.

For Advanced Higher in addition to the 3 taught periods and the essential homework and revision pupils must use, at the absolute minimum, an additional 3 timetabled periods within school (Maths Base or agreed alternative) for additional self-study.
 
Assessment
In all courses to gain the overall award students must pass an assessment at the end of each of 3 units as well as an external assessment in Nat 5, Higher and advanced Higher and an internal assessment in National 4.
In January pupils will sit a prelim exam that covers units 1 & 2. Pupils will also sit a top-up prelim in April, this will cover a range of topics from units 1, 2 & 3.