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Mathematics

“If I were again beginning my studies, I would follow the advice of Plato and start with Mathematics.”
Galileo Galilei

Mathematics is a popular and successful department with a high profile in the school. The subject has increased further in popularity in recent years, with numbers studying AS and A2 Mathematics gradually increasing and numbers choosing Further Mathematics in the Sixth Form increasing dramatically. Our primary aim is to stimulate, develop and maintain students’ curiosity, interest and enjoyment in mathematics in an environment that encourages creative, independent thinking and enquiry.

In Blocks 3, 4 and 5 students are taught in five sets according to ability. Progress is monitored carefully by regular testing as well as weekly preps and classwork.

Block 3

The Block 3 Mathematics course reinforces basic skills in number, algebra, mensuration and data handling but also provides the core foundations for the IGCSE course. Many of the topics studied during Block 3 (including Pythagoras’ Theorem, coordinated geometry and trigonometry) appear in the IGCSE, so Block 3 can be seen effectively as the first year of a three-year IGCSE programme. Prep is set and collected weekly and there is an end-of-year school examination in June.

Blocks 4 and 5

All students are entered for the International GCSE (Edexcel). In most sets, Block 4 marks the beginning of students’ exposure to more advanced Higher Tier topics (for example, advanced trigonometry and quadratic equations). Prep is set and collected weekly and there is an end-of-year school examination in June of Block 4.

Students in the top set follow an accelerated programme culminating in an early sitting of the higher tier IGCSE Mathematics examinations in January of Block 5. Generally, one set in each year group is smaller in size and focused on entry for the Foundation Tier IGCSE (grades C-G).  The middle three sets are often rather close in pace and ability and all students in these sets are entered for the higher tier examinations (grades A*-D). Mock IGCSE examinations occur in October of Block 5 for the accelerated set and January of Block 5 for all others.

The most able students who have completed their IGCSE early follow a free-standing Mathematics course in the final two terms of Block 5. They have the option to be entered for the OCR Additional Mathematics qualification at the end of the year.

Sixth Form

AS or A2 Mathematics is a requirement for several university courses and students are encouraged to consider this when choosing their A Levels. The step up in difficulty from Block 5 can be significant: an A grade in GCSE or IGCSE Mathematics is an expected minimum for access to the course; aptitude for algebraic topics is an important prerequisite for success.

We follow the OCR Mathematics programme, which consists of four Pure Mathematics modules and two Applied Mathematics modules. Students sit three module examinations at the end of 6.1: Core Mathematics 1, Core Mathematics 2 and Probability & Statistics 1 and three more: Core Mathematics 3, Core Mathematics 4 and Mechanics 1 at the end of 6.2.

Suitably qualified students may choose Further Mathematics as an additional A Level. This is studied as an accelerated programme in 6.1 and 6.2 (ten periods/week in total for both A-levels rather than eight periods/week for single Mathematics). An additional six modules are required for Further Mathematics: Further Pure Mathematics 1, Decision Mathematics 1, Mechanics 2, Mechanics 3, Probability & Statistics 2 and Further Pure Mathematics 2 or 3. Students who are aiming to study Mathematics at top universities will need to choose this A-level but it is increasingly relevant for courses in Engineering, Physics, Economics or Statistics. Further Mathematics is a fast, challenging course and students are expected to have an A* at IGCSE, preferably at an early sitting.

Enrichment

There is a popular Sixth Form Mathematics Society, which meets half termly to discuss mathematical issues beyond the scope of the school curriculum. At some times of the year, a Junior Mathematics Society meets weekly in activities time. Able students in all year groups have the chance to enter the Intermediate or Senior UK Mathematics Challenge.

The department has a very strong record of enabling students to proceed with Mathematics as a degree choice at top universities, including Oxford and Cambridge. Sixth Formers who are aiming to apply for a Mathematics or related course at university can attend regular Top University Preparation (TopUP) lessons in the Spring Term of 6.1 and Autumn Term of 6.2.

Head of Department: Michael Truss
Find out more about the Bedales Mathematics Society.

Download a guide to the Sixth Form Curriculum.

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