Mathematics

A level Maths UKMT quiz team. Fantastic A level students representing McAuley in the UKMT Senior Team Challenge.

• A level Maths UKMT quiz team. Fantastic A level students representing McAuley in the UKMT Senior Team Challenge.
• Mr J Tibbitts. Course Leader
• Maths Olympiad for Girls. September saw the Maths Olympiad for Girls. A highly demanding maths challenge and 7 of our A Level students worked hard over the 2.5 hours on the problems.

Why choose AQA A Level Mathematics?

There’s something special about A Level Mathematics. Not only does it develop problem solving skills and logical thought, but it also provides a challenge. Is it any wonder that employers are attracted to students who have studied this subject? Studies show that people who take A Level mathematics earn an average of 11% more over their lifetime than those who don’t. It is undoubtably a highly regarded subject, but did you know that it is a facilitating subject (helpful in keeping your options open) which is looked upon favourably by Colleges and Universities?
Here at McAuley we have an experienced Mathematics Department with a history of excellent results that go from strength to strength. Last year, 75% of our A Level Mathematics students achieved grade C or above, and a whopping 32.3% achieved an A* or A grade and 100% of our students achieved grade C or above in Further Mathematics.
The question is not why choose Mathematics, the question is why wouldn’t you?

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What will I learn in Year 12 and how will it be assessed?

This is a new specification subject. The school’s policy is that students enrolling onto new specification courses will not be entered for external AS examinations at the end of Year 12. Please visit the FAQs for more information on new specifications, their UCAS tariff points and the ‘decoupling’ of AS/A2 grades.

However, the pupils will take very similar exams to the AS papers in June 2019 to assess their suitability to continue the course into Y13.

Paper One
90 minutes, 80 marks, 50% of assessment

Pure Maths including functions, coordinate geometry, sequences, trigonometry, exponentials and calculus. Mechanics: kinematics, forces and Newton’s Laws.

Paper Two
90 minutes, 80 marks, 50% of assessment

Pure Maths including functions, coordinate geometry, sequences, trigonometry, exponentials and calculus. Statistics: using large datasets, sampling, probability, distributions and hypothesis testing.

No coursework.

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What will I learn in Year 13 Mathematics and how will it be assessed?

This is a ‘new specification’ subject. The overall result for each student completing this course to full A level standard will be based on the final Year 13 A level examinations only. Please visit the FAQs for more information on new specifications, their UCAS tariff points and their ‘decoupling’ of AS/A2 grades.

Paper One
120 minutes, 100 marks, one third of assessment

Pure Maths including functions, coordinate geometry, sequences, trigonometry, exponentials, calculus and numerical methods.

Paper Two
120 minutes, 100 marks, one third of assessment

Pure Maths including functions, coordinate geometry, sequences, trigonometry, exponentials, calculus and numerical methods. Mechanics: kinematics, forces, Newton’s Laws and moments.

Paper Three
120 minutes, 100 marks, one third of assessment

Pure Maths including functions, coordinate geometry, sequences, trigonometry, exponentials, calculus and numerical methods. Statistics: using large datasets, sampling, probability, distributions and hypothesis testing.

No coursework.

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How will I learn?

You will learn through:
• teacher-led exposition
• use of graphical calculators and software packages, e.g. Desmos
• on-line support material, e.g. MyMaths, Sparxmaths, Integralmaths etc
• independent learning
All students are welcome and encouraged to attend weekly intervention sessions. They run from the first week all the way until the end of year exams.

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Related Degrees

For a degree in mathematics, statistics, physics, engineering or actuarial science, for example, you will almost certainly need a good A level mathematics qualification.

Mathematics is very important in many other degrees, such as economics, medicine and social sciences.

A Level mathematics is one of the most general and one of the most fundamental subjects that you can study – there is always a demand for employees who can think logically, process information accurately and calculate efficiently.

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Related Careers

Almost two million people now work in jobs in the UK where mathematical /science qualifications are essential. Nationally around 50% of people who work in jobs where mathematical/science qualifications are essential earn £29,000 or more.

If instead you look at jobs where mathematical qualifications are irrelevant, then only 9% of people earn over £29,000. Some of the most common roles which mathematical sciences graduates entered include actuaries, economists, statisticians, management consultants, business analysts, science and technology professionals, programmers, software developers, financial analysts and teaching and research professionals.

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Further Course Information

Students are encouraged to participate in the Problem-Solving sessions ran by the University of Sheffield and experience extra-curricular events such as the UKMT Senior Maths Challenge. You will need to purchase a graphical calculator through school.

Due to the challenging content and application of the A Level Maths course, we recommend students who achieve a grade 7 or higher at GCSE Maths apply to enroll in the subject. However, in some exceptional circumstances we will consider on a case-by-case basis students who achieve a grade 6. Such students must meet a strict set of criteria, namely: secure a ‘strong’ Level 6, have a written recommendation for the course by subject staff from year 11, complete and submit the ‘Preparation for Success’ Maths Bridging Work prior to the September start, attend compulsory extra after-school classes throughout Year 12 in order to bridge the gap between GCSE and A Level.

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