Mathematics

Mathematics at Dulwich is a vibrant rich subject, with students enjoying the development of logical thinking, structure and problem solving being layered on a traditional Mathematics curriculum. We aim to help all students progress and develop the confident thinking that is the natural outcome of high-level Mathematical studies. At the same time, we hope to foster an appreciation of the intrinsic elegance of mathematical ideas along with a recognition of their central role in many disciplines. We therefore emphasise the importance of numeracy along with the ability to model real-life problems in a mathematical context.

What we teach

Our students work towards the IGCSE qualification in Year 11 with most students then choosing to go on and pursue A level Mathematics or Further Mathematics in the Upper School. Boys start in Year 7 by ensuring a firm foundation of good numeracy before quickly building the core techniques of algebra alongside geometry and shape and space as well as data handling. In year 9 we develop trigonometry as well as introducing set theory. Around a third of the students in Year 10 and 11 follow a course that leads to the Additional Mathematics qualification alongside their IGCSE. As students move into the Upper School a large number choose to continue their mathematical studies in some form. Students can select from Mathematics A level or choose the double option that leads to Mathematics and Further Mathematics.

Enrichment

Provision is made for all students to go beyond the standard syllabus within lessons, teachers make extensive use of stretching and challenging questions to help develop deeper understanding of the material at hand. We do not accelerate students, believing that there is enough depth in each area to provide a really enriching curriculum. Each week there is a Maths Enrichment session in the Lower and Middle Schools. In the Upper School as work becomes more focused on university entrance we run one for each of Year 12 and 13.

We give students the opportunity to enter many mathematical competitions, including the Junior, Intermediate or Senior Mathematics Challenge with the best students going on to the follow on rounds, the Olympiads. Boys also enter national team challenges, plus the London wide ‘Hans Woyda’ mathematics competition involving a team of boy from across the year groups.

Destinations

Students go on from studying mathematics at the College to a wide range of university courses and destinations. Many pursue Mathematics with several each year applying to highly competitive course at Oxford, Cambridge and international universities. We also support students applying to read Sciences, Engineering and Economics which increasing expect a Mathematics based admissions test.