Scaling the ALPS Margaret Murray Background Excellent results

Scaling the ALPS Margaret Murray

Background • Excellent results at KS 3 Level 5+ 60% in 1997 → 89% in 2005 Level 7+ 17% in 1997 → 39% in 2005

Background • Excellent results at GCSE C+ 49% in 1997 → 77% in 2005

The Mathematics department • Well staffed department • 6 full time, 2 part time • Low turn over of staff

Background A level results ALPS 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 8 4 7 2 2001 0. 1 2002 - 0. 2 2003 - 0. 1 2004 - 0. 5 2005 + 0. 8 ALIS

How did we do it? • Recognised that there was a problem • Undertook a review of sixth form teaching • Wrote an action plan

Action plan • Peer observation for sixth form teaching • Visit a maths department at another school • Change practice of module entry

Lessons • Starters Box plot starter 16 27 30 39 48 56 For the ages given, calculate the mean = the mode = the standard deviation = the median and quartiles Q 2 = Q 1 = Q 3 – Q 2 = Q 2 – Q 1 = 56 58 63 65

Homework • All homework marked instead of once piece per week • Lots of teacher help with homework • Following up homework problems

Fun Bus • After school help one night a week • For all sixth form students • All staff on hand to help

Tests • More tests • Tests taken in free periods • 60% or target grade needed to pass

Module entry • One A 2 module taken in January of Year 13 • More use made of re-sits

Revision • All practice papers marked • Before school revision classes • Teaching throughout study period

Recipe for success? • Work ethic • Team work and good relationships • Positive ethos