Mathematics Summary

A-level Mathematics extends and challenges your compulsory Mathematics education. It encourages learners to think and act mathematically, using mathematical skills and forms of communication to analyse situations within mathematics and elsewhere. The course provides a broad and widely applicable base of mathematical knowledge, including rigorous treatment of calculus and proof alongside statistics and mechanics, preparing learners for a wide range of destinations in Higher Education and employment – Mathematics A-level is one of the top ten subjects held in the highest regard by the top universities. 

We explore how mathematical ideas are interconnected and how we can apply this to model situations using algebra and other representations, to help make sense of data, to understand the physical world and to solve problems in a variety of contexts, including social sciences and business.

A-level content is an exciting mixture of Pure and Applied mathematics. To complement the Pure more algebraic content of the course, there is now a compulsory element of Mechanics for everyone to study and apply their skills incorporating kinematics, Newton’s laws and applications of vectors. The Statistics element is now more focussed on interpretation and includes some hypothesis testing which provides you with a clearer idea of applying Mathematics to real life, not just in a classroom. 

Entry Requirements

  • 5 x grade 5 or above (including GCSE Maths and English Language) 
  • Grade 6 GCSE Maths 

Course Duration

2 years full-time

Specification

OCR A

How you will study

Supported by a specialist Mathematics teacher, you will be taught the content of the course through a mixture of modelled worked answers and independent practice. Students will work independently on a combination of practice questions and past exam questions to gain experience and confidence in all topics.

Mathematics students sit regular in class progress assessments in order to receive personalised feedback on their work and are supported through the use of past papers to prepare for their exams.

Component breakdown

A-level: Assessment is entirely 3 x 2 hour written external examinations 

  • Paper 1: Pure Mathematics (33%)
  • Paper 2: Pure Mathematics and Statistics (33%) 
  • Paper 3: Pure Mathematics and Mechanics (33%)

Accountancy, Engineering, Sciences, Banking, Medicine, Design, Architecture.   Almost every company in the world have employees who are competent in maths – a good maths A-Level will greatly improve your chances of employment.