Subject Intent
Course Overview:
Studying Mathematics at A Level will enable candidates to further develop their understanding of mathematical processes. Students will extend their range of skills and techniques and use them in more difficult, unstructured problems. An understanding of coherence and progression in mathematics will be developed and how different areas of mathematics can be connected and modelled. The connections between ‘real-world’ problems and other mathematical models will be explored and how these can be used as an effective means of communication.
Course Structure:
• Pure Mathematics: extends knowledge of GCSE topics such as algebra, geometry and trigonometry as well as studying brand new concepts such as calculus.
• Mechanics: learn how to model situations by turning a complicated physical problem into a simpler one to be analysed and solved; from cars in the street to satellites revolving around a planet.
• Statistics: learn how to analyse and summarise numerical data in order to arrive at conclusions.
Progression Opportunities:
A Level Mathematics is a much sought after qualification for entry to a wide variety of full time courses in higher education, but is well respected by every avenue Post-18. There are many areas of employment that see a Mathematics A Level as an important qualification and it is often a requirement for the vocational qualifications related to these areas. Many of the ideas met in the mechanics course form an almost essential introduction to fields of study such as cybernetics, robotics, bio-mechanics and sports science. The statistical processes met in the course are widely used throughout the world, in psychological surveys, biomedical research and global warming to name a few.
Staffing
Mrs. S Heald - Head of Mathematics
s.heald@derbycathedralschool.org.uk
Mr. S Sakaria - Second in Mathematics
s.sakaria@derbycathedralschool.org.uk
Mrs. S Roberts - Teacher of Mathematics
s.roberts@derbycathedralschool.org.uk
Mr. B Webster - Teacher of Mathematics
b.webster@derbycathedralschool.org.uk
Homework and Assessment
Students are expected to complete 1 hour of homework per teacher per week. We follow the Pearson Edexcel textbook. Homework assignments can range from an exercise from their textbook, an independent assignment via Integral or a reading task. At the end of each chapter students will be given a formative end of unit assessment.
|
Exam |
Method |
Time / Weighting |
|
Paper 1 (Pure) |
Written |
2 hours / 33.33% |
|
Paper 2 (Pure) |
Written |
2 hours / 33.33% |
|
Mechanics and Statistics |
Written |
2 hours / 33.33% |
Independent Study and Revision
A Level Maths lessons can be quite intense, often with very little time to put into practise the new content that has been learnt. Therefore, the cast majority of your independent study will be to complete exercises set from the textbook, as an absolute minimum. Revision will often be past exam practise, with a mixture of legacy spec and new spec papers.
Subject Enrichment
Each year students are offered a place on the Senior Mathematical Challenge, aimed at Y12 and Y13. Students are awarded gold / silver / bronze / participation based on national average scores. The award is highly regarded on students’ UCAS applications. Via the Endeavour Program, students are able to take a weekly slot in Y7-10 maths lessons supporting teachers with less able students to increase their confidence in numeracy. We also offer many opportunities aimed specifically for female maths students in order to help boost the national shortage of women in STEM.
Super-Curricular and Literacy
• TED Talk: Math is the hidden secret to understanding the world by Roger Antonsen
• Humble Pi: A comedy of maths errors by Matt Parker
• Seventeen Equations that Changed the World by Professor Ian Stewart
• Fermat’s Last Theorem – Simon Singh
• The Music of Primes – Marcus Du Sautoy