Meet Dave Gale
“After introducing Core Maths as an option in Year 12, we’ve had a significant increase in students studying level 3 maths from around 27% to 57%.”
Dave Gale
Churchill Academy & Sixth Form
About Churchill Academy & Sixth Form
After introducing Core Maths as an option in Year 12, we’ve had a significant increase in students studying level 3 maths from around 27% to 57%.
Our post-16 offer at Churchill Academy & Sixth Form is an academic pathway consisting of mainly A level subjects, with a few vocational options. We offer a broad range of A levels, allowing students to create a personalised pathway in subjects that support their interests and ambitions. Our students study a standard programme of three linear subjects over two years, with additional options of a fourth subject (for one or two years), Core Maths, an Extended Project Quaification (EPQ), or a non-qualification Study Skills programme.
At Churchill Academy & Sixth Form this year, we have 53 students taking Core Maths and 49 taking A level Mathematics, out of a total of 180 Year 12 students.
What they’re doing in relation to Core Maths
Our curriculum offer encourages students to consider a broader range than their three A levels. At interview, our admissions team discuss with the students what would be best for them alongside their main A levels, whether that be an EPQ, Core Maths, a Study Skills programme or, for exceptional students, a fourth A level.
We firmly believe in keeping the entry criteria for Core Maths at a grade 4, as intended in the course design, to allow access to a Level 3 maths course to as many students as possible.
We’re fortunate to have a well-qualified team of subject specialists for maths, and our lead teacher of Core Maths has considerable experience of the course. At present, the lead teacher takes two Core Maths classes and a second teacher takes the third class. We’re rotating the second teacher each year to give multiple teachers the chance to experience teaching the course.
Students following an A level route typically take three A levels during Year 12 and 13. Further Mathematics can be taken as a fourth A level by some students.
Core Maths has been taught as a two-year course but, since September 2019, it’s being delivered in one year in Year 12 with students choosing between Core Maths and the EPQ as part of our Year 12 enrichment programme. Students can then concentrate on their three A level subjects in Year 13.