Mathematics

Course summary

Mathematics at A-level builds on and develops the ideas studied for GCSE but also introduces many new concepts. The course relies on problem-solving skills and analytical capabilities, and exam questions cover multiple topics in a wide variety of contexts. Therefore a good standard of literacy is also required. The style of teaching and the way in which students learn will be familiar from the GCSE course, although we expect students to take more responsibility for their own understanding and learning. There will be regular assessments throughout the course. Students also need to have a more specialised calculator for the final exams, in order to deal with the statistical element of the course. These can be purchased from the college or from elsewhere. (Casio fx-991ex classwiz is the standard version, although other equivalents are available). A Level Mathematics is an excellent facilitating subject for Science, Medicine, Engineering and social science courses, as well as being an excellent career in its own right. It is also highly valued as an accompaniment to university courses in Law or History, as it helps students develop rigorous arguments and assimilate known facts in order to make projections.