A level Specification and Curriculum Overview

Course currently followed: Edexcel Maths and Further Maths

Course overview

Mathematics and its applications are central to many aspects of modern life. It is regarded as a facilitating subject by universities and people who have studied mathematics are in the fortunate position of having an excellent choice of career.

A level Further Mathematics is fun and rewarding. It broadens students’ mathematical skills and promotes deeper mathematical thinking. You will be introduced to interesting new areas of pure mathematics such as complex numbers and matrices.

The school follows the new specifications of the EDEXCEL Board. All assessments are now linear, with 100% examination. 

Course entry requirements

Pupils must have achieved a grade 7 or above at GCSE Maths before embarking on the A level course, and a grade 8 or above if they wish to study Further Maths. 

A level Maths (Course Code Ma)

The mathematics course comprises Pure Maths, Statistics and Mechanics and is studied over two years and examined in Year 13. The content is all compulsory – there is no longer optional content. We structure the teaching to cover some of the harder content in Year 12, so it is not possible to be taught AS Maths and sit it at the end of Year 12.

A level Maths and Further Maths (Course Code Mf)

Students study and take the examinations of the AS Further Mathematics course comprising Core Pure Maths, Further Pure and Further Mechanics at the end of year 12, while also studying and taking internal examinations in Maths. At the end of year 12 it is required to get an A*/A or B in the AS Further Mathematics and internal examinations in order to progress to further maths in year 13.

The Further mathematics course comprises Further Core Maths and the options Further Pure and Further Mechanics. It is examined in year 13.

Challenge and Extension Opportunities

We run a weekly extension maths, (called STEP class) for those wishing to study mathematics at university. This can be attended from year 12 onwards. We undertake longer maths problems in these classes which are very useful preparation for university life. It is also vital preparation for those who are applying to Cambridge, Imperial, Warwick or Bath Universities who include STEP in their offers. 

All year 12 mathematicians take the Senior Maths Challenge which is an opportunity to showcase their problem solving skills. Many students progress to the follow-on rounds of the Kangaroo or Olympiad.

A small team of four students represents the school at the Senior Maths Team Challenge.

Equipment and Expenses: 

Students have the option to sign up to online textbooks through the school for around £12 per year for all the textbooks they need for their course. Alternatively they can purchase their own physical textbooks. Students taking single maths will need to purchase 4 books over two years at a total cost of around £60. Students taking Further Maths will need 8 books in total at a total cost of around £120. 

Use of technology is an integral part of the A Level course, and we require that all students have a Casio CG50 or a CG100 graphical calculator. This costs around £85, and bursaries are available from the school in appropriate circumstances. 

Trips to enrichment activities are always optional. Most of the incurred costs usually relate to transport which we try to keep minimal.