Our students will have the opportunity to study mathematics at post 16. We offer three courses; ‘A’ Level Mathematics, ‘A’ Level Further Mathematics and Level 3 Certificate in Mathematical Studies, with all three courses building upon the knowledge and skills gained at Key Stage 4.
Mathematical Studies (Core Maths)
Core Maths is an umbrella term for a specific type of level 3 maths qualification.
This qualification is equal in size to an AS level qualification and is intended for students who have passed GCSE Mathematics at grade 5 or better, but who do not study A level Mathematics. It is usually studied over a two-year period and can be taken alongside A levels or other qualifications, including vocational courses.
Studying Core Maths will help students develop their quantitative and problem-solving competencies. This gives them confidence in understanding the mathematical content in other courses they are taking. Our course focuses on using and applying maths, and includes ideas and skills that support maths in other courses, such as:
- interpreting solutions in the context of the problem
- understanding risk and probability
- understanding sources of error and bias when problem-solving
- working with data
- using exponential functions to model growth and decay
- understanding variation in statistics
- percentage change
- interpretation of graphs
- financial maths
- using standard units
- correlation, knowing it does not imply causation
- the Normal distribution
- making and evaluating assumptions when modelling or problem solving
- Fermi estimation
Year 12
Units studied:
- Introduction to spreadsheets
- Types of and Collecting Data
- Numerical calculations
- Representing data numerically 1
- Percentages
- Fermi Estimation
- Representing data diagrammatically 1
- The equation of a straight line
- Interest Rates
- Collecting and sampling data
- Solution to financial problems
- Surface area and similarity
- Perimeter, circumference and area
- Similarity and Pythagoras’ theorem
- Project Work – Analysis of data or personal finance
Year 13
Units studied:
- Presenting logical and reasoned arguments in context
- Analysing critically
- Communicating mathematical approaches and solutions
- Properties of the normal distribution
- Notation
- Calculating probabilities
- Population and sample
- The mean of sample size n
- Confidence intervals
- Correlation
- The product moment correlation coefficient (pmcc)
- Regression lines
- Calculations
A Level Mathematics & A Level Further Mathematics
A level mathematics builds from the GCSE and introduces calculus and its applications. It emphasises how mathematical ideas are interconnected and how mathematics can be applied to model situations mathematically using algebra and other representations. The helps students make sense of data, understand the physical world, and solve problems in a variety of contexts, including social sciences and business. It prepares students for further study and employment in a wide range of disciplines involving the use of mathematics.
There are three overarching themes:
- Mathematical argument, language and proof
- Mathematical problem solving
- Mathematical modelling
Our ‘A’ Level Mathematicians and Further Mathematicians will follow the Edexcel ‘A’ Level specification. Students following the ‘A’ level courses will complete Pure Mathematics, Mechanics and Statistics modules. In addition to these components the ‘A’ Level Further Mathematics students will complete two modules of Further Pure and two modules of applied further maths, to be chosen by course leaders, to best meet the needs of the class, from Decision, Statistics and Mechanics.
A Level Year 12
Units studied:
- Algebra and Functions
- Coordinate Geometry in the (x,y) Plane
- Trigonometry
- Quantities and Units in Mechanics
- Exponentials and Logarithms
- Vectors
- Kinematics 1 (constant acceleration)
- Forces and Newton’s Laws
- Moments
- Kinematics 2 (variable acceleration)
- Forces at any Angle
- Further Algebra
- Applications of Kinematics
- Algebra and Functions
- Differentiation
- Data Presentation and Interpretation
- Integration
- Statistical Sampling
- Statistical Distributions
- Statistical Hypothesis Testing
- Probability
- Regression and Correlation
A Level Further Mathematics Year 12
Units studied:
- Complex Numbers
- Series
- Algebra and Functions
- Matrices
- Proof
- Vectors
- Calculus
A Level Mathematics Year 13
Units studied:
- Applications of Forces
- Further Kinematics
- Functions and Modelling
- Trigonometry
- Parametric Equations
- Numerical Methods
- Vectors (3D)
- The Normal Distribution
- Proof
- Algebraic and Partial Fractions
- Sequences and Series
- The Binomial Theorem
- Differentiation
- Integration Parts 1 & 2
A Level Further Mathematics Year 13
Units studied:
- Momentum and impulse
- Work, energy and power
- Elastic strings and springs
- Elastic collisions in one dimension
- Elastic collisions in two dimensions
- Complex numbers
- Series
- Methods in calculus
- Volumes of revolution
- Polar coordinates
- Hyperbolic functions
- Methods in differential equations
- Modelling with differential equations