Mathematics
The Mathematics Department is a team of passionate subject specialists who strive to inspire curiosity, confidence, and a deep appreciation for the power and beauty of mathematics. We believe mathematics is not only essential to everyday life but also a rich, creative, and interconnected discipline. Our curriculum develops students’ fluency in fundamental concepts, encouraging rapid and accurate recall alongside deep conceptual understanding. Central to our intent is equipping students with a wide range of strategies to tackle complex and unfamiliar problems. We nurture their ability to think critically, follow logical lines of enquiry, and recognise mathematical relationships. Through exploring problems from multiple angles and applying their learning in varied contexts, students learn to adapt, persist, and reflect on their approaches. Our goal is to cultivate resilient, independent thinkers who enjoy solving problems and see challenge as an opportunity for growth.
Department team
Mr S. Pancaldi-Loxley - Head of Maths
Mr M. Graham - Deputy Head of Maths and Head of KS5 Maths
Mr C. Malewski - Head of KS4 Maths
Ms V. Greybrook - Teacher of Maths and Head of Year 12/13
Mr N. Harvey - Teacher of Maths and Head of Sixth Form
Mrs K. Royal - Teacher of Maths and Trainee Mentor
Mr M. Walsh - Teacher of Maths
Ms C. Theeman - Teacher of Maths
Mrs M. Parker - Teacher of Maths
Mrs J. Crame - Teacher of Maths
Mr G. Saunders - Teacher of Maths
Mrs M. Pavlov - Teacher of Computer Science and Maths
Curriculum at a glance
Key Stage 3
In KS3 aim we aim to build strong mathematical foundations for students before entering into Key Stage 4 as well as developing a love of Maths. There are four broad topic types covered: number, algebra, data and shape, space and measure.
Key Stage 4
The KS4 curriculum is broadly defined by the exam specifications. Students sit Edexcel Maths GCSE (Higher) at the end of Year 11 and most students will sit an additional AQA Level 2 Further Maths qualification. In lessons we continue to promote a love of learning, and promote resilience as students are equipped to engage with challenging problems.
Key Stage 5
The Key Stage 5 Mathematics curriculum is designed to provide students with a rigorous and rewarding academic experience across Year 12 and Year 13. It builds a strong foundation in core mathematical principles while encouraging analytical thinking, precision, and resilience in problem-solving.
Students follow a structured progression through Pure Mathematics, Statistics, and Mechanics, with Further Mathematics students exploring additional advanced topics. Lessons are designed to promote mathematical fluency, conceptual understanding, and the ability to communicate mathematical ideas effectively.
Assessment is integrated throughout the course, with regular opportunities for students to reflect on their progress and identify areas for improvement. Teachers use a variety of strategies to support learning, including modelling, discussion, and the use of technology to enhance understanding.
Beyond the classroom, students are encouraged to engage with mathematics in broader contexts—through competitions, enrichment tasks, and independent reading. The curriculum also supports the development of transferable skills such as logical reasoning, data interpretation, and strategic thinking, which are valuable in higher education and a wide range of careers.
Enrichment and support
Students are encouraged to attempt more challenging, open ended problems throughout their time at CRGS. Students may also wish to use resources such as NRICH which publishes thought-provoking questions students can attempt, and then submit their answers straight to the website. Additionally, the University of Southampton’s National Cipher Challenge offers a thrilling opportunity for students to engage in code-breaking. Running annually since 2002, this national competition invites individuals or teams from schools across the country to solve a series of increasingly complex ciphers as quickly as possible. Participants compete for a range of prizes, making it both a fun and rewarding experience.
Maths Challenges
We enter a huge number of students into UKMT maths challenges each year, with several qualifying for the follow-on rounds. More details about the competition and follow on rounds, as well as past papers, can be found on the UKMT website.
Recommended reading
As a department, we recommend the following revision books for students to use in preparation for their GCSE exams:
• For GCSE Maths: Collins Edexcel GCSE 9-1 Maths Higher Complete Revision and Practice
• For GCSE Further maths: AQA Level 2 Certificate Further Maths Complete Study and Practice Grade 5-9 by Trevor Senior
There are also a number of excellent books on mathematics which the department would recommend to extend students in KS4. These include:
Alex's Adventures in Numberland by Alex Bellos
The Monty Hall Problem: Beyond Closed Doors by Rob Deaves
The Music of the Primes by Marcus Du Sautoy
Chaos by James Gleick
Fermat's Last Theorem by Simon Singh
The Number Devil by Hans Magnus Enzensberger
Things to Make and Do in the Fourth Dimension by Matt Parker
Why do Buses Come in Threes? by Rob Eastaway and Jeremy Wyndham
How to Cut a Cake: and Other Mathematical Conundrums by Ian Stewart
Q.E.D. - Beauty in Mathematical Proof by Burkard Polster
1089 and All That: A Journey into Mathematics by David Acheson
Finding Moonshine: A Mathematician's Journey Through Symmetry by Marcus Du Sautoy
YouTube channels for Maths: Khan Academy · Numberphile · Mathademics · 3Blue1Brown · Stand-up Maths
