The Mathematics Department is housed in the Theatre Building, and the mathematical formulae adorning the walls leave no doubt as to the purpose of this area of the School.

The Department is hugely subscribed for post-GCSE courses, with many students studying both A level Mathematics and Further Mathematics.

Academic achievement is a large part of what we aim for, and the Department continues to have fantastic results at all levels, including at Standard grade, GCSE, AS and A-level.

Activities during the year include the Maths Fun Day (organised by Mr Lucas) for P5 pupils; many students also take part in the UKMT Maths Challenges throughout the year.

Stephen Campbell BSc: Head of Mathematics
Mr Campbell is  Timetable Coordinator, and a member of the Academic Management Team. His interests include football (he assists with afternoon activities on the field) and music. He plays a key role in the academic management of the School. He also is a tutor in Prngle House.

Marion Muetzelfeldt BSc: Dean of Staff
Mrs Muetzelfeldt is a highly valued teacher of boys at all levels, specialising in Further Pure Mathematics.

Julian Vaughan BSc
Mr Vaughan has coached the C1 XV for many years, and provides invaluable help on the athletics track. He is a tutor in Laidlaw House.

Richard Lucas MEng, MA
Mr Lucas's interests are diverse and include football, where he assists with afternoon options, magic (he has frequently demonstrated tricks within the School) and motorsport. He also plays the cornet, and tutors in Pringle House.

Federica Vian BSc, PhD
Part time teacher of Mathematics.

Mary Watson BSc
Part time teacher of Mathematics and ICT.

Nicola Ledingham BEng
Part time teacher of Mathematics.

Juliet Vaughan BA
As well as teaching Mathematics, Miss Vaughan is  Head of Support for learning in Pringle, where she helps many pupils on a one-to one basis and in small groups.

James Rainy Brown BSc
Mr Rainy Brown works extensively with the boys in Pringle House, and runs many acitivities including mountain biking and camps away from school. He also assists with Athletics coaching in the Summer, having been a keen runner himself.

The Department recently opened a new facility in the upstairs foyer of the theatre, allowing for lessons with the huge amount of extra teaching which takes place with small groups, as well as an area in which pupils and staff can relax.  This was funded through a kind donation to the department from the parents of two Merchistonians, Ben and Douglas Quayle.

I Form: The scheme used in First Form is Teejay mathematics, as used in most Scottish Primary schools.  Mathematics is taught in a differentiated way, according to each student's level at 5-14. Daily mental testing is carried out.

II & III Forms: The scheme used here is Mathematics in Action, and there are normally two sets in Second Form and three in Third Form. By the end of the Third Form, pupils have covered all of the topics set out in 5-14.

IV Form: Pupils begin a three-year preparation for GCSE.  As a core subject, all pupils will study it to the end of V Form, normally with the same member of staff.  Two tests (NFER and MidYIS) are used in conjunction with knowledge of pupils' abilities and attitudes to get the most accurate possible setting.  All boys possess a calculator recommended by the school, but also spend time working without it.  Many sit the Junior Mathematics Challenge, which is a National competition, designed to stimulate enquiring minds.

Shell and V Forms: Currently, most sets are entered for both Standard Grade and GCSE, as the A* grade is available at GCSE. Many students in these year groups take the Intermediate Mathematics Challenge.

Sixth Form:
AS and A level: The scheme is modular, assessed by written papers at the end of both years.  For an A level, students take six modules: four in Pure Mathematics (called Core Mathematics), one in Mechanics and one in Probability and Statistics. Some will take anything up to seven Core Mathematics modules towards a total of nine or twelve to qualify for Further Mathematics certification either at AS or A Level. Upper Sixth courses all include more Pure mathematics, but the precise balance will be chosen by the department to reflect the best interests of those in the set.
Higher: This course builds on the Credit level of the Standard Grade. The syllabus is of Pure Mathematics, applied in a wide variety of problem contexts.  During the Lower VI, these students often take the Intermediate 2 course, as a preparation for the full Higher.
SQA Modules: Some pupils who do not wish to commit themselves to Higher may nevertheless wish to continue to acquire mathematical skills. To this end a course is provided which, as well as possessing intrinsic value, leads to SQA Modules (formerly known as ScotVec) which may prove of use when applying to, or studying within, Higher Education.

The Department takes part regularly in national competitions. In last year's (2010-11) 'Maths Challenge' we gained:

At Senior Level: 17 Gold Awards, 9 Silver Awards and 9 Bronze Awards
At Intermediate Level: 10 Gold Awards, 20 Silver Awards and 10 Bronze Awards
At Junior Level: 10 Gold Awards, 10 Silver Awards and 13 Bronze Awards