Modular Examination: Six modulars marked with equal weighting.

At the end of Year 12 all candidates will be entered for Units C1 C2 & M1 or C1 C2 & S1 that will result in AS in Mathematics.

In January of Year 13 all students may be entered for C3.  A successful result in these AS units is a prerequisite for students to be allowed to continue with the A Level course.

At the end of Year 13 all students will be entered for C3 C4 and M2 or C4 and S2 (and any necessary re-sits).

AS/A Level Further Mathematics

Further Mathematics candidates will be entered for FP1 S1 & S2 at the end of Year 12 that will result in an AS in Further Mathematics.  In January of Year 13 candidates may be entered for one unit and entered for the remaining units at the end of Year 13 (plus any necessary re-sits).

The Further Mathematics syllabus consists of Pure Mathematics and Units from Statistics and/or Mechanics, with Pure taken to a higher level than in A Level.  As well as the extra knowledge, a deeper understanding is expected, and students contemplating Further Mathematics should seek advice from the Head of Mathematics.  Any student considering a degree in Mathematics, or a degree involving much mathematics, is well advised to do Further Mathematics.

General Information

Candidates may re-sit any individual unit and the best result will count towards the final award.  The shelf life of individual units is limited only by the life span of the specification.

Mathematics and Further Mathematics at A Level are courses worth studying in their own right.  They are challenging, but interesting.  They build on the work students will have met at GCSE, but also involves new ideas that some of the greatest minds have produced.  They serve as a useful support for many other qualifications as well as a sought after qualification for the workplace and courses in Higher Education.  A suitable candidate should achieve at least a grade A at GCSE (A* preferred) and display an interest and enthusiasm for the subject.

Career Prospects

Mathematics is the engine for science and engineering.  It is the set of ideas, insights and techniques that enable us to understand, analyse and solve problems.  It also has an elegance and beauty that fascinates and inspires those who understand it.

A Level Mathematics is a very relevant qualification for many careers, including the finance sector (accountancy, banking insurance etc.) actuarial work, pilot & air traffic control, architecture, computer work, medical careers, engineering, psychology, management, scientific research, design & development (perhaps using numerical methods & other techniques of advanced applied mathematics), statistical work (e.g.. in government departments) and forensic science.

Many employees like recruiting mathematicians where the clarity and precision of thought, which the study of mathematics develops, are valuable.

Calculators

Pupils are expected to have a set of mathematical instruments (compass, protractor etc.) They are also expected to use an electronic calculator.  Any scientific calculator, which has a fraction key ab/c, is recommended.

The following requirements meet the specification & may be used by candidates:

EL509G EL546L EL 509L EL520L EL520D EL556D EL520R EL509R EL531 (irrespective of the following letters e.g.. T130xa T130X11B)

Texas Instruments

T130s T130eco T130STAT T130 Galaxy T135X T136X T152 T140 solar T130X (irrespective of the following letters e.g.. T130Xa, T130X11B)

Hewlett Packard: HP 65

Texet: Albert Albert 2 Albert 3

Anyone wishing to purchase a graphics calculator should seek advice from the Head of Mathematics.  Students studying Further Mathematics are well advised to own a graphics calculator.