Maths

Books 📚

These books are specifically designed to help students consolidate their GCSE knowledge and get a head start on A-Level concepts:

• "Head Start to A-Level Maths" by CGP Books: This is a popular choice and for good reason. It revisits key GCSE topics that are crucial for A-Level and introduces some of the initial A-Level concepts in an accessible way. It's great for identifying and filling any knowledge gaps before starting the course.

• "Bridging GCSE and A-level Maths Student Book" by Collins (often by Mark Rowland): Similar to the CGP book, this resource focuses on the transition. It often includes sections on "What you should already know" and "What you will learn" to highlight the connections and differences between the two levels. It usually contains worked examples and practice questions to build confidence.

• Exam board-specific transition materials: Some exam boards (like Edexcel, AQA, OCR) produce their own bridging materials or recommend specific resources. It's worth checking their websites. Pearson, for example, offers free videos and resources to assist with the transition from GCSE to A-Level Maths, focusing on key skills.

Why these help:

• Identify weaknesses: They help pinpoint GCSE topics that need more practice.

• Introduce new concepts gradually: They provide a gentle introduction to the style and difficulty of A-Level questions.

• Build foundational skills: A-Level maths heavily relies on strong algebraic skills. These books emphasize those core areas.

• Increase confidence: Successfully working through these resources can make starting Year 12 less daunting.

Podcasts 🎧

While fewer podcasts are solely dedicated to the GCSE to A-Level transition, many maths podcasts can help by fostering an interest in the subject, explaining concepts in different ways, and showing the broader applications of mathematics. This can be motivating and help students see the "why" behind the maths they're learning.

• "A-level Maths Revision Bites": This podcast breaks down A-Level topics into smaller, manageable chunks. While it's more revision-focused, listening to a few episodes on foundational A-Level topics (some of which build directly from higher-tier GCSE) can give a flavour of what's to come.

• "The Numberphile Podcast": Hosted by Brady Haran (from the popular Numberphile YouTube channel), this podcast features interviews with mathematicians and people who love numbers. It's great for exploring different areas of maths and hearing about the subject in a more engaging, less textbook-focused way. This can broaden a student's appreciation for maths.

• "Mr Barton Maths Podcast": While aimed more at teachers, Craig Barton interviews a wide range of people from the maths world. Students might find some episodes interesting, particularly those discussing maths concepts or study skills. It can offer a different perspective on learning mathematics.

• "Maths Appeal" with Bobby Seagull and Susan Okereke: This podcast aims to make maths accessible to all. They discuss key maths topics, puzzles, and interview "Maths Champions." This can be a fun way to engage with maths and see its relevance.

Why these help:

• Context and application: They can show how mathematical concepts are used in real life or in more advanced studies, making the subject more engaging.

• Different explanations: Hearing concepts explained by different people in different ways can aid understanding.

• Enthusiasm for the subject: Listening to people passionate about maths can be infectious and motivating.

• Broader mathematical literacy: Exposure to a wider range of mathematical ideas can be beneficial, even if not directly tied to the curriculum.

Films to watch

• The circle

• The code 

• The man who knew infinity 

• Good will Hunting

• Prediction by the numbers

• The social network 

• Scorpion (series)

examsolutions.net

https://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/

A Level textbook resources will be supplied