Year 9
All students study Mathematics from Year 9 to 11.
All Year 9 students will be taught in classes set on ability, minor adjustments being made to these sets after each school exam.
The aim is for the students to be able to apply Mathematics in everyday situations, to develop a feel for number and number patterns, to reason logically, carry out calculations (with or without a calculator) and to understand the significance of the results obtained. Topics covered include:
- Arithmetic
- Algebra
- Graphical work
- Properties of geometric figures
- Accurate drawing to scale
- Probability and statistics
In Year 9, students work towards Key Stage 4 covering at least level 6 of the National Curriculum. The Key Stage 4 course is designed to target two tiers of ability (Foundation or Higher). All students work through the National Curriculum and are finally entered at either the Higher or Intermediate level according to each student's individual skills and ability.
Scientific calculators are required for the start of the Year 9 course. We would recommend that calculators have a "fraction" facility as well as the standard trigonometric functions and are solar powered to avoid borrowing of batteries. The school stationery store stocks these at cost (at present the solar powered CASIO FX-85MS).
Years 10 & 11
Mathematics [EDEXCEL]
All students study Mathematics from Year 9 to 11, classes being set on ability in each year group.
The aim is for the students to be able to apply Mathematics in everyday situations, to develop a feel for number and number patterns, to reason logically, to understand mathematical ideas and be able to communicate them in a variety of ways, to develop spacial awareness, to use a computer, to carry out calculations with and without a calculator and to understand the significance of the results obtained.
The Key Stage 4 course is designed to target two tiers of ability, namely Foundation – grades G to C; Higher - grades D to A*. All students work through the National Curriculum and are finally entered at the appropriate tier according to each student's individual skills and ability.
The course is subdivided into the following Attainment Objectives:
AO1 : USING AND APPLYING MATHEMATICS 20%
AO2 : NUMBER (Arithmetic) and ALGEBRA 40%
AO3 : SHAPE AND SPACE (Geometry) 20%
AO4 : HANDLING DATA (Probability, Statistics,
use of Computer) 20%
AO1, AO2, AO3 and AO4 are assessed by two exam papers, each worth 50%, taken at the end of Year 11; one paper is with calculators and one paper without.
Sixth Form
Candidates will be expected to have achieved at least a grade B in GCSE. If GCSE was taken at the intermediate tier students will need to learn about some topics from the higher tier before starting the course.
Mathematics at AS- and A-level is a course worth studying in its own right. It is challenging but interesting. It serves as a very useful support for many other qualifications as well as being a sought-after qualification for the workplace and courses in Higher Education.
While studying Mathematics students will be expected to:
- use mathematical skills and knowledge to solve problems
- solve quite complicated problems by using mathematical arguments and logic. Students will also have to understand and demonstrate what is meant by proof in mathematics
- simplify real-life situations so that mathematics can be used to show what is happening and what might happen in different circumstances
- use the mathematics learnt to solve problems given in a real-life context
- use calculator technology and other resources (such as formulae booklets or statistical tables) effectively and appropriately; understand its limitations and when it is inappropriate to use such technology
There are 17 units from which to choose. These are divided into the four branches of mathematics:
- Pure (Core) Mathematics
- Statistics
- Mechanics
- Decision Mathematics
There are seven Pure Maths, 5 Mechanics, 3 Statistics and 2 Decision Maths units. By choosing different combinations of units any of the following qualifications can be obtained :
- A-level Mathematics
- AS Mathematics
- A-level Further Mathematics
- AS Further Mathematics
- A-level Pure Mathematics
- AS Pure Mathematics
In order to get an AS (Advanced Subsidiary) it is necessary to take three units. A full A-level requires a further three units.
Some students who are really interested in Mathematics take either Further Mathematics AS- or A-level. Either three or six more units will need to be taken.
The tables below show the combinations needed for the different qualifications.
Advanced Subsidiary
|
Title
|
Compulsory units
|
Optional units
|
|
Mathematics
|
C1, C2
|
1 application unit
|
|
Further Mathematics
|
FP1
|
2 other units (excluding C1-C4), including at least one A2 unit
|
|
Pure Mathematics
|
C1, C2 + C3
|
None
|
Advanced level
|
Title
|
Compulsory units
|
Optional units
|
|
Mathematics
|
C1, C2, C3, C4
|
2 application units from the following combinations: M1, M2; S1, S2; D1, D2; M1, S1; S1, D1; M1; D1
|
|
Further Mathematics
or
|
FP1, FP2, FP3
FP1, FP2 or FP3
|
3 units (excluding C1-C4)
4 units (excluding C1-C4)
|
|
Pure Mathematics
|
C1, C2, C3, C4, FP1 and either FP2 or FP3
|
None
|
A 1½ hour examination paper tests each of the units, which are equally weighted.
The C1 unit paper will be non-calculator.
The A-level Mathematics course is 8 periods per week and the Further Mathematics course is 12 periods per week.
AS Mathematics
An AS in Mathematics is very valuable as a supporting subject to many courses at A-level and degree level, especially in the sciences, geography, psychology, sociology and medical courses.
A-level Mathematics
A-level Mathematics is a much sought-after qualification for entry to a wide variety of full-time courses in Higher Education. There are also many areas of employment that see a Mathematics A-level as an important qualification and it is often a requirement for the vocational qualifications related to these areas.