Maths Week 2024

This year we celebrated the first TLA Maths Week. The Maths faculty organised a series of events that filled the academy with a genuine buzz for our favourite subject. Every Maths lesson, started with a daily puzzle and each cohort was offered the opportunity to dig deeper in ad-hoc activities.

Year 7

Ever wondered what it was like to be a WWII codebreaker? Half of the Year 7 cohort got a hands-on experience at Bletchley Park, the once top-secret hub of wartime intelligence! They tried their hand at encryption, handled messages, and explored the legendary Typex machine. The other half of the cohort will do the same trip in July 2025.
The whole cohort used their algebra skills to explore coding in class-based activities.

Year 8

Year 8 students spent the week organising a dinner party. From looking at nutrition, to exploring quantities in recipes, to shopping the ingredients, students experienced the choices that every household must make when thinking about meals.

Year 9

Year 9 students took part in a whole cohort Trading Game in collaboration with the Geography department. The game explored our trade influences economic development via constructing and selling geometric shapes. They learned about trade relationships, economic inequality, and global dynamics - all while having fun!

Year 10, 11, 12, 13

A selection of Year 10 and 11 and all Maths students in 6th Form attended a lecture from Dr Tom Crawford, creator of Tom Rocks Maths. Dr Crawford is a mathematician from Oxford and Cambridge Universities and a public speaker. Tom inspired students with a talk about how mathematical modelling can be used to tackle ocean pollution. Students’ response has been overwhelmingly positive.

Year 12

All Year 12 students were offered the opportunity to enter our first Mathematical Essay Prize, dedicated to Katherine Johnson, NASA computer and one of the “hidden figures” who put humanity on the moon. We are still in the process of marking all the entries and hope to announce the winner soon.

Year 6

Local primary schools sent teams of 4 of their keenest mathematicians in Year 6 to compete in our first Primary Team Maths Challenge. Pupils competed in mathematical puzzles and games to win the Primary Team shield.