Head of Department:  Mr K R S Hoyle

Why study Mathematics?

A good qualification in mathematics provides evidence of logical thought processes and the ability to cope with statistical and analytical skills. This core subject is highly valued by most employers and is often required for entry to further or higher education.

Examination Board: Edexcel

Why study Mathematics?

A good qualification in mathematics provides evidence of logical thought processes and the ability to cope with statistical and analytical skills. This core subject is highly valued by most employers and is often required for entry to further or higher education.

You will study three main areas:

• Number and algebra
• Shape, space and measure
• Data handling and the use and application of mathematics to a range of problems

 
You will learn the following skills:

• to use mathematical techniques and knowledge to arrive at solutions
• to use logic and reason to solve problems
• to break down tasks into small steps in order to solve them
• to apply your mathematics by modelling real life problems
• to cope without a calculator when required and
• to use a calculator effectively when appropriate

In Years 9, 10 and 11 the pupils are setted according to their ability in Mathematics. Given the recent Government changes all pupils will follow the linear mathematics specification. There is no coursework.

The majority of candidates will take the Higher GCSE in Year 11 with a small number sitting the Foundation GCSE.

The Higher level course offers a grade range of A* to D. The Foundation level course offers grades C to G.

The aim of the Department

The aim of the department is for students to gain confidence in the subject by means of achieving success at the appropriate level of entry. The more able pupils in the top sets in Years 9, 10 and 11 are “accelerated” at a rate which is comfortable and challenging for them. The Year 10 top set would normally complete their study of the Higher Level GCSE by the end of Year 10. This set, in Year 11, study an Extended Mathematics programme which is an excellent stepping stone to the Advanced Subsidiary (AS) level and a stimulating course for the more able student. The most able pupils will take the United Kingdom Mathematical Challenge papers in Years 10 and 11.

Our more able GCSE students progress to Sixth Form Mathematics and the AS course. Aspiring candidates should seek advice in Years 10 and 11 from their mathematics teachers as to their suitability.

If a pupil fails to attain at least a C grade it may be necessary for them to re-sit their Mathematics GCSE during Year 12 when they will be expected to attend our support lessons.

Calculator

All mathematics students from Year 9 to the Upper Sixth must be in possession of a basic, relatively inexpensive calculator costing no more than a few pounds. It is essential that this has the Trigonometry buttons of sin, cos and tan and also crucial that it does not have the capacity to perform symbolic algebra operations. (In simple terms, for example, it should be able to perform the four rules with number but not have the capacity to add 2x + 3x and give the answer of 5x.)

The school shop sells the Sharp EL-W531 (WriteView) series calculator and the mathematics teachers demonstrate its use through appropriate software, projecting onto a big screen. It is very convenient therefore, when replacing a basic calculator, if pupils select this make and model. We strongly urge students who eventually study sixth form statistics to choose this calculator.

For security reasons we strongly recommend that such items be labelled in a permanent way with the owner’s name. 

Examination Board: Edexcel

What entry qualifications do I require for this course?

At the College a grade B secured from GCSE Mathematics is considered the minimum entry standard. Aspiring candidates should seek advice from their present mathematics teachers as to their suitability.

What will I learn on this course?

Mathematics at AS and A level is a challenging and interesting course worth studying in its own right. It builds on work you will have met before, but also involves new ideas and concepts. 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 you will be expected to:

• use mathematical skills and knowledge to solve problems
• solve problems of varying complexity by using mathematical arguments and logic. You will also have to understand and demonstrate what is meant by proof in mathematics
• simplify real life situations so that you can use mathematics to show what is happening and what might happen in different circumstances
• use the mathematics that you learn to solve problems that are given to you in a real – life context
• develop and extend your capability to do and write mathematics logically without the use of a calculator;
• 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

What will I need for this course?

All mathematics students from Year 9 to the Upper Sixth must be in possession of a basic, relatively inexpensive calculator costing no more than a few pounds. It is essential that this has the Trigonometry buttons of sin, cos and tan  and also crucial that it does not have the capacity to perform symbolic algebra operations.(In simple terms, for example, it should be able to perform the four rules with number but not have the capacity to add 2x + 3x and give the answer of 5x.)

What could I go on to do at the end of my course?

AS Mathematics is very valuable in supporting many courses at A level and degree level, especially in the sciences, geography, psychology, sociology, and medical courses.  A Level Mathematics is a much sought after qualification for entry to a wide variety of full-time courses in Higher Education.

Mathematics at AS and A Level is divided into four branches:

Pure Mathematics

When studying pure mathematics at AS and A level you will be extending your knowledge of topics such as algebra and trigonometry as well as learning some new concepts; for example calculus.

Statistics

If you study statistics you will learn how to analyse and summarise numerical data in order to arrive at conclusions about it. You will investigate probability and tackle problems by using the new mathematical techniques studied on the pure mathematics course.

Mechanics

When you study mechanics you will learn how to describe mathematically the motion of objects and how they respond to forces acting upon them.

Decision Mathematics

If you study decision mathematics you will learn how to solve problems involving networks. You will study a range of methods, or algorithms, which enable such problems to be tackled. This branch of mathematics is of recent origin and does not require pure mathematical skills.