Last year we introduced GSCE Statistics as an additional qualification for the large number of students who achieved early success in GCSE Maths. The results were fantastic and the course extremely popular. Now, the subject is firmly embedded in our Maths curriculum.

Last term, students in Years 10 and 11 studied a method called "capture re-capture', which is regularly used by ecologists to estimate the size of a wildlife population.

Using beans and balls to represent animals, students took an initial sample and marked all of the items taken; this procedure, known as "tagging' completes the "capture' stage. Tagged items were then returned to the full set and mixed thoroughly, which represents the animals naturally merging back into the population. Students then took a second sample, known as "re-capture' and used equations to calculate the estimated population size.

This method is frequently used to estimate the population of fish, birds and deer but similar methods have also been used to estimate incidents of disease, health-related problems and social issues such as homelessness.

Activity-based learning is very popular among our students as it increases understanding and helps to put their learning into context. Year 11 student Lucas B said: "I really enjoyed the practical activity as it helped to embed and demonstrate the theory behind the method. I can see the value of this method in industry and that makes it even more interesting."