At the Cambridge Maths School, all students study both Mathematics and Further Mathematics A levels. This allows us to deliver both curriculums simultaneously, giving students the opportunity to make strong links between topics and to explore mathematics in different ways.
All students study the OCR MEI Specification B syllabus which covers the statutory requirements of Pure Maths, Statistics and Mechanics, and includes the minor Further Maths options of Extra Pure, Mechanics and Statistics. In addition to this, the Algorithms option is taught as an extra lecture series in Year 12 and students can sit this as part of their final examination in Year 13 if they choose to do so. Other optional elements of the Further Maths qualification are taught in Year 13 as part of the schools Accelerate programme focusing on University entrance examination criteria for STEP, MAT, ESAT and TMUA.
Your A Level studies will allow you to develop a formal set of techniques to solve both abstract and real-world problems. These techniques include algebra, graphing, functions, geometry, trigonometry, calculus and vectors. The fields of statistics and probability will allow you to deal with the models used to help statisticians predict what may or may not happen in the future. Mechanics allows you to grasp the modelling of physical scenarios that support concepts in real life and areas such as physics.
In building your mathematical competence and confidence, your teachers will support you to develop your mathematical thinking so that you are both exam proficient and university ready by the end of Year 13. They will help you see the power of generalising methods and will encourage you to work together in teams to solve problems from both within and beyond the A level Further Maths syllabus. We expect our students to revel in the benefits of collaboration through productive struggle and our bespoke problem-solving sheets provide the perfect stimulus for such learning. By the end of Year 13 we expect all of our students to be both verbally dextrous and mathematically rigorous in their written arguments.
Mathematics is a beautiful subject in itself, allowing you to stretch your intellectual capabilities by applying methodologies that have been refined over the centuries by mathematicians before you. The subject develops a highly desirable skillset coveted by universities offering degree courses in the Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Biology), Engineering, Computing, Architecture, Business & Finance, Social Sciences such as Economics and Psychology, and obviously Mathematics itself. Future employers also hold the logical reasoning and problem solving skills gained from the study of Mathematics.
