Maths

Department Staff

The Key Stage 5 Maths team comprises five teachers and a dedicated teaching assistant:

What do students study?

Mathematics
AS Level and A2 Level Mathematics students study Core Mathematics together with an application of Mathematics, either Statistics, Mechanics or Decision Mathematics.  A few students also take extra modules, giving them the demanding but prestigious Further Mathematics qualification (see below). 

Students are encouraged to use a graphic calculator and ICT is regularly used to demonstrate concepts visually.  Additional support materials are accessed via the internet.

A GCSE Grade B or above is required for students to take this A Level course.  We also require a recommendation from a student’s GCSE teacher about their attitude towards learning and suitability for the course. Students need to have covered the work at GCSE up to Grade A* or complete this work prior to starting the course.

 
Further Mathematics
Further Mathematics requires the study of an additional three modules to standard Mathematics. These modules must include FP1 (Further Pure Mathematics) and D1 (Decision Mathematics) and either S1 (Statistics) or M1 (Mechanics) depending on the student’s choice at AS Level. Students must be taking Mathematics A-Level and have teacher approval to study Further Mathematics.


How are students assessed?

Mathematics
All modules are assessed by examinations which last 1½ hours. AS Level is assessed by three examinations whilst A2 Level is also assessed by three examinations plus a piece of coursework involving the numerical solution of equations.

Further Mathematics
Certification for A2 Further Mathematics is usually taken at the same time as A2 Mathematics. The results will be arranged by the exam board to give priority to making sure that A2 Mathematics grade is as high as possible. Both the AS and A2 Level require that students sit three papers of 1½ hours each.

Contact Head of Department, Paul Evans  for further information: