Mathematics, A Level

Students should ensure that they meet the entry requirements for the courses they are applying for (available on subject pages) as well as the overall entry requirements (5 grades at level 4 or above but must include English and Maths).

Students need to choose a minimum of three subjects to study. Please note that all of our BTEC courses are single BTEC's and equivalent to 1 A Level, you will need to choose two further subjects if choosing a BTEC course.

Please ensure you have put contact details for yourself and a parent should we need to contact you.

A Level Mathematics (Edexcel) is a fascinating subject to study. The course deals with developing logic and problem-solving skills that can be applied in a wide range of areas. Studying the course will develop your fluency in key mathematical topics and teach you how to construct an organised and logical argument. Whilst the course covers and extends many of the GCSE topics, such as algebra and geometry, it also quickly moves on to new topics where we introduce you to calculus, exponential functions and logarithms. Alongside the pure mathematics topics, we also learn about applications of maths through the study of statistics and mechanics. Mathematics also helps to support the study of other subjects including Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Engineering, IT, Economics, Business and Psychology.

Students study towards 3 exams in A Level Mathematics; these are Pure Mathematics 1, Pure Mathematics 2 and Applied Mathematics. The Pure maths topics further develop the GCSE topics of algebra, functions, graphs and trigonometry and introduce new In Year 12 we cover the following topics:

• Algebra
• Linear & circle geometry
• Trigonometry
• Vectors
• Differentiation
• Integration
• Exponentials & logarithms
• Collecting & analysing data
• Correlation
• Probability
• Statistical distributions
• Hypothesis testing
• Kinematics
• Forces
• Variable acceleration

In Year 13 we cover the following topics:

• Functions
• Sequences & series
• Binomial expansions
• Further trigonometry
• Further calculus
• Parametric equations
• Numerical methods
• Conditional probability
• Normal distribution
• Moments
• Friction
• Projectiles

Continuous assessment will be used to inform the student’s progression into Year 13.

You will sit three 2 hour written papers in June of Year 13.

Pure Mathematics 1 (2 hours) 33%;

Pure Mathematics 2 (2 hours) 33%;

Statistics and Mechanics (2 hours) 33%

• Grade 6 or above in GCSE Mathematics

You need to be predicted and achieve all the grades listed above in order to undertake this subject.

Mathematics helps us in all aspects of life, whether it be with general problem solving, high level thinking skills or detailed planning and analysis, so it will aid all students whatever career path they choose to take. Students who enjoy mathematics can go on to study a wide range of university courses and it is particularly applicable to courses such as Mathematics, Engineering, Science related courses, Business and Economics, and computing.