Head of Department: Mr. M Bishop
Mathematics & Further Mathematics
Mathematics is an increasingly important subject in the modern world. In addition to being an intellectually satisfying exercise in its own right, it links well with a wide range of other subjects, both arts and sciences. It attracts a large number of pupils in the Sixth Form.
There are two courses in the Sixth Form
1: Mathematics
This course leads to a single subject award at AS or A level. All pupils study Pure (Core) Mathematics. This involves the techniques of mathematics and includes algebra, geometry, trigonometry and calculus. They then apply these techniques to different practical situations. All pupils will also study Statistics in the Lower Sixth year but then, for those taking the A2 course, they can pursue more Statistics or take Mechanics. The choice is made by the pupil and is in most cases straightforward, because of the other subjects being studied at A Level. The entry requirement for this course is at least a grade B in GCSE Mathematics. The specification (MEI) for this course is here and the external exam programme is below:
January Year 12
Core 1
June Year 12
Core 2 and Statistics 1
January Year 13
Core 3
June Year 13
Core 4 and either Statistics 2 or Mechanics 1
To help students who might need some extra practice we run a Maths Clinic twice a week at lunchtime. Any pupil, in any year group, may come to this, and we provide individual attention with whatever problems they may have.
2: Further Mathematics
This course is ideal for the student with a real flair for Mathematics who is likely to read the subject at University. It is also highly recommended for the able student in Physics and Engineering. Those following this course will study Pure Mathematics, Statistics and Mechanics, and will go much further in all three than those studying single mathematics. They will obtain an A Level in both Mathematics and Further Mathematics, in addition to their other Advanced Level subjects. To do this course successfully, a pupil needs to be very able, well-organised and hard working. This is a demanding programme even for able pupils, but it may leave more doors open a little longer for those whose future is unclear. Without the study of Further Mathematics, some university mathematics, science and engineering courses (particularly at Oxbridge) are well-nigh inaccessible. The extra time allocated to this course excludes pupils from options in the Enrichment block. The entry requirement for this course is a grade A* in GCSE Mathematics. The specification (MEI) for this course is here and the external exam programme is below:
January Year 12
Core 1, Core 2, Mechanics 1
June Year 12
Core 3, Core 4, Mechanics 2, Statistics 1
January Year 13
FP1, Mechanics 3, Statistics 2
June Year 13
FP2, Differential Equations, Statistics 3
All Further Mathematicians are entered for the Senior Maths Challenge and every year some students qualify for the British Maths Olympiad. Some of the very able students might be asked to join the department's British Maths Olympiad Group. This is a group of students from Years 10 - 13 which meets regularly to solve off-curriculum problems involving number theory, geometry and probability. We also run a fortnightly Puzzle Competition where prizes are awarded to the pupils with the best solutions.
Pupils are also invited to attend internal maths lectures that are given by the department and also by visiting lecturers. Recent lectures have included:
“What Computers Cannot Do” (Dr Alan Slomson, Leeds University)
“Fractals”
“Proof of Goedel’s First Theorem”
“Nongentillions and other big numbers”
“Geometry – Ancient and Modern” (Prof Sylvester, Kings College, London)
The Further Mathematicians are also taken to Maths Conferences and Maths Lectures at university and are strongly encouraged to read around the subject. We suggest that the students visit the Mathematics section of the school library which is extremely well stocked with a wealth of interesting maths-related books.