Mathematics

All teachers at Heaton are trained in the Numeracy project. The focus is on developing students' understanding of numbers and their ability to use numbers to solve problems. Students may solve number problems by counting, adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing or combinations of these. Students are encouraged to learn a range of different ways to solve problems and to choose the most appropriate one for each problem. This change in approach to mathematics education reflects changes in the world that impact on the mathematics that people need to know. Problem solving skills and an understanding of concepts are increasingly more important, rather than just the ability to follow rules for calculating.

Students also study the areas of algebra, statistics, geometry and measurement where they are encouraged  to think mathematically and become confident and comfortable with the mathematics they are using. Students are also given opportunties to integrate numeracy strategies into these strand applications.

Each year, a year 7 team and a year 8 team particpate in the Cantamaths competition. Students are also given the opportunity to sit external mathematics examinations.