Overview
All pupils follow the same Mathematics course that contains Pure (Core), Mechanics and Statistics. It is no longer possible to choose only Mechanics or Statistics (National Decision). The Faculty also runs a popular Further Maths course intended to extend, engage and develop the most able mathematicians. Further Maths can only be taken in conjunction with Maths and not as a stand-alone A-level. Year 13 Mathematics and Further Mathematics follow OCR (MEI) syllabus, Year 12 follow the Edexcel sylabus.
Course Structure
Mathematics
In year 12 all pupils sit three examinations: Pure 1, Pure 2 and an Applied Statistics and Mechanics paper. The papers are all taken at the end of year 13. Paper 3 has a comprehension element, where pupils read a short passage on some application of mathematics and then answer some questions about it.
Further Mathematics
In year 12 all pupils sit four examinations: Core Pure 1, Core Pure, Further Statistics 1, Further Mechanics 1. Each paper is 1hr 30mins long and worth 25% of the paper.
Course Content
In the following tables, we have given a breakdown of the topics that pupils will be studying. We have endeavoured to show the split between years 12 and 13. However, given that all external examinations are at the end of year 13, we may on occasion move topics between years if we feel that it would be advantageous to the pupils learning.
Year 12 Mathematics
|
Pure (Core) |
Statistics |
Mechanics |
| Problem-Solving | Data Collection | Kinematics |
| Surds and Indices | Data Processing, Presentation and Interpretation | Forces and Newton’s Laws of Motion |
| Quadratic Functions | Probability | Variable Acceleration |
| Equations and Inequalities | The Binomial Distribution | |
| Coordinate Geometry | Statistical Hypothesis Testing using the Binomial Distribution | |
| Trigonometry | ||
| Polynomials | ||
| Graphs and Transformations | ||
| The Binomial Expansion | ||
| Differentiation | ||
| Integration | ||
| Vectors | ||
| Exponentials and Logarithms |
Year 12 Further Mathematics
|
Pure (Core) |
Statistics |
Mechanics |
| Matrices and Transformations | Statistical Problem Solving | Kinematics |
| Introduction to Complex Numbers | Discrete Random Variables | Forces and Motion |
| Roots of Polynomials | Discrete Probability Distributions | A Model for Friction |
| Sequences and Series | Bivariate Data (Correlation Coefficients) | Moments of Forces |
| Complex Numbers and Geometry | Bivariate Data (Regression Lines) | Work, Energy and Power |
| Matrices and their Inverses | Chi-Squared Tests | Impulse and Momentum |
| Vectors and 3D Space | Conditional Probability | Centre of Mass 1 |
| Dimensional Analysis |
Year 13 Mathematics
|
Pure (Core) |
Statistics |
Mechanics |
| Proof | Probability | Kinematics |
| Trigonometry | Statistical Distributions | Forces and Motion |
| Sequences and Series | Statistical Hypothesis Testing | Moments of Forces |
| Functions | Projectiles | |
| Differentiation | A Model for Friction | |
| Trigonometric Functions | ||
| Further Algebra | ||
| Trigonometric Identities | ||
| Further Differentiation | ||
| Integration | ||
| Parametric Equations | ||
| Vectors | ||
| Differential Equations | ||
| Numerical Methods |
Year 13 Further Mathematics
|
Pure (Core) |
Statistics |
| Vectors 1 | Probabilities density functions |
| Matrices | Expectation algebra and Normal Distribution |
| Series and Induction | Confidence Intervals |
| Further Calculus | Hypothesis testing |
| Polar Coordinates | Simulation |
| Maclaurin Series | |
| Hyperbolic Functions | |
| Applications of Integration | |
| First Order Differential Equations | |
| Complex Numbers | |
| Vectors 2 | |
| Second Order Differential Equations |
Other Useful Information
- MEI integral resources – extra notes, examples and interactive resources provided by the exam board – to be accessed by individual student login.
- Mathsbox – website that contains lots of resources and practise questions on pure, statistics and mechanics. Also contains further maths material.
- United Kingdom Mathematics Trust (UKMT) – Charity which runs the Junior and Intermediate challenges, available to our high ability learners. In addition to this, they also organise the team maths challenge.
- Youtube – many excellent videos that can help understanding of tricky concepts.
- NRICH – Website that specialises in open-ended mathematical tasks. Designed to stretch our most able learners.