Mathematics & Further Mathematics 1/23 Mathematics & Further Mathematics MATHEMATICS NEW A2 Specifications!

No. This is a two year A2 course. 2/23 Mathematics & Further Mathematics MATHEMATICS Will I take AS? No. This is a two year A2 course.

3/23 Mathematics MATHEMATICS A2 Mathematics at Bourne Grammar School

What are the class sizes? 4/23 Mathematics MATHEMATICS What are the class sizes? Yr12 - typically 20 students Yr13 – typically 14 students Now that A Level is a 2 year linear course we expect class sizes to be somewhere in between

Which teachers will I get? 5/23 Mathematics MATHEMATICS Which teachers will I get? Each group may have two teachers, delivering the three elements studied: Pure, Mechanics and Statistics. Nearly all of our Mathematics teachers deliver A level, and they will have over a century of experience between them.

What are the lessons like? 6/23 Mathematics MATHEMATICS What are the lessons like? “It’s quite independent, but there is always help available” “Maths GCSE but harder, more direct help from teacher due to smaller class sizes” “A lot more relaxed, more independent learning”

What does the course consist of? 7/23 Mathematics MATHEMATICS What does the course consist of? Examinations are in May/June. The three elements covered are: Pure Mathematics, Statistics and Mechanics (9 one hour periods taught over two weeks).

What is the homework load like? 8/23 Mathematics MATHEMATICS What is the homework load like? “A lot higher than I expected” “Not too heavy” “It’s a fairly large amount. However, it is more rewarding and more of a necessity in order to understand the lessons”

Exam Board OCR: Three 2 hour papers: 9/23 Mathematics MATHEMATICS What is the exam like? Exam Board OCR: Three 2 hour papers:

What equipment will I need? 10/23 Mathematics MATHEMATICS What equipment will I need? We will provide you with an A4 ring binder containing all the notes and room for examples for the course. Apart from the obvious (pens, pencil etc.) you must have: CASIO fx-991EX calculator is mandatory for this course We purchase a stock of these in September which will be available to buy at a reduced price An A4 notebook or file paper on which to do your working

What subjects go well with Maths? 11/23 Mathematics MATHEMATICS What subjects go well with Maths? Physics – students taking Physics usually find the Mechanics element of Mathematics straightforward due to the large degree of shared content. Chemistry, Economics, – have a large mathematics content.

Are the classes put in sets? 12/23 Mathematics MATHEMATICS Are the classes put in sets? NO - Further Mathematics students are taught as a separate group, the remaining groups are mixed ability.

How much harder is it than GCSE? 13/23 Mathematics MATHEMATICS How much harder is it than GCSE? “A lot of GCSE is repeated, and if you are good at algebra the transition is a lot easier”. “It’s a big jump but you get used to the change very quickly” “It’s not a massive jump as long as you’re willing to work hard and review the work done in class”

Is there support if I am struggling? 14/23 Mathematics MATHEMATICS Is there support if I am struggling? YES – All our teachers are very supportive and want the best outcome for their students. Support can be given informally, at break, lunch and after school. Just ask your teacher. If they say no – support is available every lunchtime in room M5.

Further Mathematics at 15/23 Further Mathematics FURTHER MATHEMATICS A2 Further Mathematics at Bourne Grammar School

How much harder is it compared to GCSE or A level Mathematics? 16/23 Further Mathematics FURTHER MATHEMATICS How much harder is it compared to GCSE or A level Mathematics? “Not as much as you would expect. You start on easier modules and ease into it slowly.” “Quite a lot more work and quite a bit harder so you have to work quite a bit harder.”

Which teachers will I get? 17/23 Further Mathematics FURTHER MATHEMATICS Which teachers will I get? Each group may have two teachers, delivering the three elements studied: Pure, Mechanics and Statistics. Generally, our most experienced teachers deliver the Further Mathematics A level.

What degree/university courses is Further Mathematics useful for? 18/23 Further Mathematics FURTHER MATHEMATICS What degree/university courses is Further Mathematics useful for? It is a prerequisite for Mathematics at Durham and Warwick University, and looked upon favourably by other Universities for any degree with a high Mathematical content.

What is the homework load like? 19/23 Further Mathematics FURTHER MATHEMATICS What is the homework load like? “Reasonable.” “Less than other subjects. Especially essay based ones.” “Quite a lot, because with maths, to learn you have to practice a lot.”

What are the lessons like? 20/23 Further Mathematics FURTHER MATHEMATICS What are the lessons like? “You will always have to try hard: no lapse in concentration.” “You get quite a lot done and they move quite quickly.” “Structured well – teaching new methods followed by practice; which ideally you should continue in your free time.”

What does the course consist of? 21/23 Further Mathematics FURTHER MATHEMATICS What does the course consist of? Further Pure mathematics, Further Mechanics and Further Statistics. Further Pure may contribute between a half and three quarters of the course. Students may self-study additional modules (18 one hour periods taught over two weeks).

Exam Board OCR: (minimum) Four 90 minute papers: 22/23 Mathematics MATHEMATICS What is the exam like? Exam Board OCR: (minimum) Four 90 minute papers: Taught Taught Taught Taught Optional self-study Optional self-study

This presentation can be accessed through the department web-site: 23/23 Mathematics & Further Mathematics MATHEMATICS This presentation can be accessed through the department web-site: https://mathematics.bourne-grammar.lincs.sch.uk