Minimum Grade Requirement:
Grade 8 in Maths
Assessment:
External examination at the end of the course.
Further Mathematics candidates MUST also take Mathematics as one of their A level options.
Course Overview
Further Mathematics allows the most able mathematicians a chance to extend their understanding of all aspects of mathematics beyond the simple realms of number and algebra. Students are given a chance to explore complex abstract mathematical ideas and see how they can be related to real world scenarios and used to solve problems. Like most good mathematicians, I am sure you are aware that we can’t square root a negative number and get a ‘real’ answer. But what if instead of stopping there, we give that impossible answer a name and create a whole new world of ‘imaginary’ mathematics?! That is just chapter one!!
The two A levels in Mathematics courses often cover the early mathematical content of many university courses, and are particularly useful for anyone proceeding to study mathematics or a closely related field such as physics at university. If a student chooses Mathematics and Further Mathematics they will have 10 sessions of Mathematics a week. In Year 12, they will complete the full course of A level Mathematics (9MA0) such that in Year 13 they can study the Further Mathematics content.
All the Mathematics staff make themselves available to assist candidates with their studies. The Maths Hub is an area in the School for students looking to gain additional support with any aspects of their course. Occasional trips are organised to related lectures and students also have the opportunity to take part in the individual and team UK senior Maths challenges.
The standard required for Further Mathematics is high and only students with Grade 8 and above GCSE grades are guaranteed a place on the course. We may however consider students with Grade 7 at GCSE on a case-by-case basis (for example students who narrowly miss a Grade 8 or have exceptional examination results in other curriculum areas). A big advantage to studying Further Mathematics is that it is a good course to study for any student wishing to do four A levels because it acts as an extension of the Mathematics you are already studying and is therefore not as awkward as studying four completely different disciplines. The course is hard, but those who follow it should find it both satisfying and profitable.
Future Opportunities
Some of the recent Oxbridge successes of the school have come from candidates who have studied both Mathematics and Further Mathematics at A level.
Complementary Subjects
Business, Computing Science, Design Technology, Maths, and Sciences.