Mathematics (EDEXCEL)

  • AS: Paper 1 – Pure Mathematics (67% of AS) Paper 2 – Statistics and Mechanics (33% of AS)
  • A2: Paper 1 – Pure Mathematics 1 (33% of A level) Paper 2 – Pure Mathematics 2 (33% of A level) Paper 3 – Statistics and Mechanics (33% of A level)

Please note that the above specification is currently a proposed version awaiting final approval by QCA for teaching from September 2017.

Course aims:

  • Encourage students to develop their understanding of mathematical processes.
  • Improve the ability to reason logically.
  • Extend skills and techniques for use within unstructured problems. Understand the difference between ‘real-world’ problems and modelling.
  • Develop an awareness of the relevance of maths to other fields of study.

Entry requirements:

Knowledge of the complete content of the IGCSE Higher syllabus, especially algebra, is essential. If a student has not managed to achieve at least a grade 7 at IGCSE they will find the AS course extremely challenging.

Key features:

While studying Mathematics, students will be expected to use mathematical arguments, skills, knowledge and logic to solve problems. Many of the ideas met in Pure Mathematics also serve as important foundations for other branches of mathematics. Mechanics enables modelling of systems, describing the motion of objects and calculating the forces upon them. Statistics involves learning how to analyse and summarise numerical data in order to arrive at conclusions.

Higher Education

A level Mathematics is taken by a wide range of students, from those intending to read the subject at university, to those needing particular techniques to support another subject of their chosen career and it can sensibly be taken in conjunction with any other A level subject. It is a sought after qualification not only for the work place but also in Higher Education.

Further Mathematics

Further Mathematics (EDEXCEL)

  • AS: Compulsory unit: Further Pure 1 (50% of AS) One further unit is required from Further Pure 2, Further Statistics, Further Mechanics or Decision Mathematics (50% of AS)
  • A2: Compulsory units: Further Pure 1 (25% of A Level) Further Pure 2 (25% of A Level) Two further units are required from Further Pure 3 and/or 4, Further Mechanics, Further Statistics or Decision Mathematics (50% of A Level)

Please note that the above specification is currently a proposed version awaiting final approval by QCA for teaching from September 2017.

Course aims:

In addition to the aims for the mathematics course:

  • Further extend their range of mathematical knowledge, skills and techniques, using them to solve more difficult problems.
  • Further develop the ability to present mathematical arguments clearly and correctly.
  • Develop an understanding of coherence and progression in mathematics and of how different areas of mathematics are related.
  • Take an increasing responsibility for their own learning and the evaluation of their own mathematical development.

Entry requirements:

Knowledge of the complete content of the IGCSE higher syllabus, especially the algebra content, is essential. An 8 grade at IGCSE is expected and students not working consistently at that level find the AS course extremely challenging.

Key features:

  • Further Mathematics is a full A level qualification in its own right but is never taken without Mathematics A level. It requires the same amount of teaching and study time as any other A level.
  • It extends the mathematics course in such a way that our Further Mathematics students can be taught nearly all the mathematics course alongside some of the students taking just mathematics.
  • The FP1 module uses some topics from just the Pure Mathematics content; other sections we study for Further Mathematics have similar, manageable dependencies on other elements of the A level Mathematics syllabus. Decision Mathematics involves the use of algorithms and the study of problems involving networks. The number of students taking Further Mathematics is often such that we can adjust the set of options taken to suit their collective needs and interests.

Higher Education:

In recent years the number of students in the UK taking Further Mathematics has increased significantly. It is almost always required for degree courses in Mathematics and is sometimes required, and often listed as highly desirable or desirable, for degree courses in Engineering and Computer Science at the top universities.