1. Mathematics at St Brendan’s College

2. Maths courses we offer Level 1/2 courses FSMQ
GCSE Foundation Mathematics
GCSE Higher Mathematics
Level 3 courses
Core Mathematics
A Level Mathematics
A Level Further Mathematics

3. Level 3 Maths Courses
Further Maths A level This is a course taught for 9 hours a week over two years. You will gain two A Levels, one in Maths and one in Further Maths The entry qualification is grade 7,8 or 9 at GCSE maths. There is no coursework in this course.

4. Level 3 Maths Courses
Maths A level This is a course taught for 4.5 hours a week over two years. The entry qualification is grade 7 at GCSE maths or grade 6 with an average GCSE points score of 5.7 or better. There is no coursework in this course.

5. Pre-enrolment Task
You will be required to complete a Pre-enrolment Task for all subjects you are hoping to study in September.
For all A Level Maths courses the summer task takes the form of an algebraic worksheet. You should access this from the College website (shown on next slides).
The worksheet contains practice questions for the algebra test you will take at enrolment.
You will need to pass the algebra test to get onto the A Level course.
There are useful resources online to help bridge the gap to A Level. One (very thorough) example is at

6. Pre-enrolment Task

7. Pre-enrolment Task

8. Pre-enrolment Task

9. Level 3 Maths Courses
Core Maths This is a course taught for 3 hours a week over two years. It is equivalent to an AS qualification i.e. the first year of an A level. The entry qualification is a grade 4 or better at GCSE Higher maths. There is a separate summer task for this course, in the same New Student Tasks area just shown.

10. Pre-enrolment Task: Core Maths

11. Textbooks
You may wish to buy textbooks for A Level Maths and Further Maths
Don’t buy any books until you start at St Brendan’s

12. Equipment needed for Maths courses
We find it is very helpful for students to start in September with the equipment needed for the year:
Scientific calculator:
3 narrow ring binder files
3 sets of 8-10 file dividers
At least one A4 ruled refill pad (wide lines are usually preferred by students)
Pens, pencils, eraser, ruler.

13. Calculators for A level Maths students
Graphics Calculators will be used - model CASIO-FX9750 G-II. These may be hired from the department for a cost of £15 per year, although you could buy your own if you wish

14. Advice from this year’s maths students
Don’t underestimate the difficulty of the course. No matter how easy you found GCSE you will have to work hard throughout the year
Always keep on top of the topics and make sure you understand them before moving on
Think carefully before committing yourself to such a hard subject
It’s a time consuming subject and needs serious consideration
Do homework when you get it not the night before it’s due in

15. Advice from this year’s maths students
Keep revising as you go along
Be organised
Think carefully. You need to be dedicated and willing to put in the extra work.
Work steadily throughout the year
Attend all lessons and go over questions you get wrong
Learn GCSE work thoroughly beforehand
IT’S HARD WORK BUT WORTH IT IN THE END

16. ScienceTechnologyEngineeringMaths
St Brendan’s website: Website – COLLEGE INFO – ENRICHMENT - STEM
What is STEM about at St Brendan’s?
An opportunity to show interest in something beyond A level qualifications.
Make you stand out at interview.
Do you want to:
extend your subject studies or conduct some cross-subject research; 
work as an individual or as part of a group;  
work toward a Gold CREST award and/or an EPQ; 
take part in a competition or challenge; 
apply for an apprenticeship or University summer placement; 
work with University or industry mentor and gain contacts
We want to facilitate your idea and support you in this.
STEM coordinators: Christi Brasher (Physics)
Juan Alvarez (Maths/ Computer Science)
Biomed
Group

17. What does STEM look like?
This year students have:
created a cloud chamber and awarded CREST Gold
built part of the college website
competed in national robotics competition (reached ¼ finals)
Met as a Biomed group to support biomedical applications
built a superconductor
obtained two Nuffield summer placements at UoB
met as a group to discuss real statistical problems
created a student survey
gone on trips to Bletchley park and JET fusion lab
attended lots of talks
over 100 students have competed in subject competitions – over 20 medals awarded
numerous placements on the in2science initiative

18. Adam, Bob, Clair and Dave are out walking: They come to rickety old wooden bridge. The bridge is weak and only able to carry the weight of two of them at a time. Because they are in a rush and the light is fading they must cross in the minimum time possible and must carry a torch (flashlight,) on each crossing. They only have one torch and it can't be thrown. Because of their different fitness levels and some minor injuries they can all cross at different speeds. Adam can cross in 1 minute, Bob in 2 minutes, Clair in 5 minutes and Dave in 10 minutes. Adam, the brains of the group thinks for a moment and declares that the crossing can be completed in 17 minutes. There is no trick. How is this done?