The number of students taking A-level maths has increased by more than 300 per cent at Malton School, North Yorkshire. And it’s no surprise when you look at the passion and hard work of staff in the maths department.

The department marks the success of students in assemblies, at celebration evenings and on the school’s social media channels. One particular success has been the implementation of the Build a Mathematician programme in key stage 3 to help students develop a secure base of understanding.

The staff encourage a metacognitive approach to learning, meaning students have a clear understanding of their strengths - but, crucially, they also know how to improve and are not afraid to practise their maths skills to make this happen.

Judge Jemma Sherwood said: “Clearly a passionate team, they have demonstrated consistent improvements in not only attainment but take-up at key stage 5 and engagement in extracurricular maths. It was a pleasure to learn about this maths team.”

In an effort to improve the transition of students into Year 7, head of department James Muir and his team run a regional transition project in which they lead training for primary and secondary schools. They also produce materials to support students’ progress.

Muir said: “It is a privilege to line-manage the subject and see their passion, expert subject knowledge and high-quality teaching being used to build resilient and numerate learners.

“I know the pressure that comes with teaching a core subject and it is a testament to the team that they have managed to improve recruitment, retention, progress and their curriculum over time but particularly managing to maintain that quality during remote learning.”