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

2. 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. 3/23
Mathematics
MATHEMATICS
A2 Mathematics at
Bourne Grammar School

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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”

7. 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).

8. 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”

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

10. What equipment will I need?
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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

11. What subjects go well with Maths?
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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.

12. 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.

13. How much harder is it than GCSE?
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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”

14. 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.

15. Further Mathematics at
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Further
Mathematics
FURTHER MATHEMATICS A2
Further Mathematics at
Bourne Grammar School

16. 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.”

17. 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.

18. What degree/university courses is Further Mathematics useful for?
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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.

19. 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.”

20. 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.”

21. 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).

22. Exam Board OCR: (minimum) Four 90 minute papers:
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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

23. 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: