Further Maths

If you have any further enquiries, please email Mr James Prout, Head of Mathematics, at proutj@salesiancollege.com

Why study Further Maths?

There is a strong positive correlation between the top earners in Britain and Further Mathematics at A Level. If you are an able student in Mathematics, tipped to achieve a grade 8 or 9 at GCSE, perhaps you might consider this opportunity. This subject can open the door into the highest flying careers.

The extra depth of study of Pure Mathematics plus the extra breadth of applications you study provide you with an excellent background for many university courses. These are particularly useful for degrees in Mathematics, Physics and Engineering. It can also be useful for related subjects such as Economics and Computing. The leading universities recognise Further Mathematics as an indication of high academic aptitude. In order to study Mathematics at most of these esteemed institutions, an A Level in Further Mathematics is a necessity.

What does the study of Further Maths involve?

If you are an able Mathematics student you will want to be challenged. You will enjoy exploring Mathematics in depth, Further Mathematics is exciting and stimulating!

Further means developing more deeply into this exciting subject.

Pure includes topics such as Algebra and Calculus which help develop the techniques and skills useful for solving problems. Some topics such as Complex Numbers, Matrices and Vector Algebra are more abstract and are more to do with Mathematics for its own sake.

Mechanics will give you the skills to solve problems in the real world by using a process called mathematical modelling. You will be able to find out why Galileo was correct when he said that two balls made of different materials rolling down the same slope will reach the bottom at the same time. Mechanics is useful for Physics and Engineering.

Statistics will enable you to test whether a mathematical model describes a real-world problem well or not. It is for this reason that a knowledge of statistics is of such importance in carrying out practical work in the sciences or social sciences.

Why at Salesian College?

You will have small classes which means plenty of personal attention and encouragement. The staff are well-qualified, enthusiastic, hardworking and caring people. There are Math’s workshops held weekly and ample opportunities to seek help outside of lessons from one of the eight sympathetic and experienced Mathematics teachers. The results are outstanding.

Last summer at A Level we had 80% A*/B pass rate.

The department is excellently resourced with text books for each of the modules and the latest ICT Mathematical software.

What does the course involve?

Further Mathematics is the fastest growing subject at A Level. Why is this? The top universities are beginning to expect students who wish to study Maths related degrees to have Further Mathematics to at least A Level.

You take Further Mathematics alongside Mathematics. You will take four papers for A Level in Year 13 in addition to the three papers below.

 YEAR 12
 Further Pure (50%)                        Further Statistics & Mechanics (50%)
 YEAR 13
 Further Pure 1 (25%)  Further Statistics (25%)

 Further Pure 2 (25%)

 Further Mechanics (25%)

 

Skills required

You should be a good mathematician who is expected to get an 8 or 9 at GCSE plus a range of other good grades. You should enjoy Maths as you will spend a high proportion of your time studying the subject.

What is expected from Further Maths students?

We do not study Further Mathematics because it is easy but because it is challenging. We expect our students to be prepared to practice questions using the skills that they learn during the lessons and to seek assistance outside of lessons when they encounter difficulties.

What can an A Level in Further Maths lead to?

Research shows that workers with qualifications in Maths earn substantially more than those without. Mathematicians are in demand worldwide and many other degree and career channels benefit from high mathematical aptitude. There are many opportunities that exist: medical, medical statistical, engineering, physical, business, economic, computing, technological, educational…….and the list goes on !!!....

Also a Mathematical degree has the highest employment rate of any other subject apart from dentistry and medicine. Employers value numeracy, clarity of thought and the capacity for logical argument that the study of Further Mathematics develops.

At Salesian College we give our Mathematics students a level of support and attention that is unequalled in any other establishment. Our level of success with our students at A Level exceeds by far that of our competitors.