AS/A2 Mathematics AS/A2 Further Maths AS/A2 Statistics AS/A2 Use of Maths 2013 Entry
Mathematics • • •
1987-2012
One of the most outstanding Maths departments in the country – we were awarded grade 1 in the last Ofsted inspection
25 Years inspiring There are approximately 600 students across the of Maths faculty individuals Outstanding facilities including 8 spacious classrooms, a computer suite and a fully resourced student work base
•
Approachable and experienced staff
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Extensive support systems including daily timetabled tutorials
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Opportunities for trips, extension awards and competitions
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A high proportion of students progress onto Higher Education
1987-2012 25 Years of inspiring individuals
Rebecca’s Perspective I enjoy life at Carmel because the college has an overall great atmosphere and the teachers have a lot of dedication to students helping to achieve the best that they can. I like studying Maths because the staff are all very approachable and help and advice is always readily available. The scheme of work is very well structured and it brings new challenges every day. So far at Carmel I have been very impressed with the amount I have learned and the support I have had. I am hoping to leave college and carry on to study Pharmacy at degree level and I have no doubts that the teachers at Carmel will help me achieve that. I would definitely recommend Carmel to anybody who is willing to work and wants to achieve the best that they can.
AS/A2 Mathematics Exam Board AQA Why choose Mathematics at Carmel? Having successfully completed your GCSE course you are now in a position to tackle Maths at a more advanced level. This is a highly regarded and enjoyable A Level. Even students who may not have enjoyed GCSE Maths at school, find A Level Maths a much more stimulating and rewarding course. Here at Carmel we are very proud of our maths students’ outstanding record of achievement over many years. We can guarantee that every student will receive first class tuition using a variety of teaching strategies in a modern spacious environment. This coupled with our excellent support programme makes Carmel, in our opinion, the only place to study Maths. What will I study? The Maths course has a modular structure with three modules leading to an AS Level in the first year and six modules to an A Level. The core of the subject is the Pure Maths modules (Core 1, 2, 3 and 4). The first module extends certain topics you have studied at GCSE (number, algebra, graphs and trigonometry) and introduces new ones (e.g. calculus) so that you have the basic tools needed to study maths at a more advanced level in Core 2, 3 and 4. In addition students will study some Applied Maths modules.
These modules are concerned with how Maths can solve real-life problems. The applied choices are Statistics, Mechanics and Decision. How is the course examined? At AS Level, you will take Core 1 in January followed by Decision 1 or Mechanics 1 and Core 2 in June. At A2 Level, you will take Core 3 in January followed by Core 4 and Statistics 1 in June. Each module is of equal weight and is examined by a one and a half hour paper. There is no coursework. Where does this course lead? Maths can lead to a myriad of courses in both further and higher education. Obvious careers include accountancy, banking, engineering, medicine, computing and scientific statistical research. However, there are many other diverse areas where mathematical skills are recognised as invaluable and essential.
Rebecca Roche St Edmund Arrowsmith, Ashton Studying: Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, Economics A Level Mathematics results
Meet the Tutors
Total Total Pass Year A* A B C D E U Entries Passes Rate 2008
62 34 30 19
8
2
155
153
98%
2009
74 47 39 17
4
2
183
181
99%
Ian Moran Head of Maths
2010 25 51 38 22 22
5
0
163
163
100%
2011 51 61 51 35 15
7
1
221
220
99.5%
Paul Morrison Assistant Head of Maths
2012 15 70 74 48 19
5
0
231
231
100%
Paul Vaughan Assistant Principal
AS/A2 Further Maths
Rachel’s Perspective
Exam Board AQA What is Further Maths?
What will I study?
If you get a grade A at GCSE you should seriously consider studying Further Maths. As Maths is such a vast subject it is impossible to cover it all in one A Level. Hence Further Maths develops some of the concepts met in A Level Maths and brings it to a higher plane. It attracts students who thoroughly enjoy the subject and are keen to extend their understanding and knowledge.
The Further Maths course has a modular structure with three modules leading to an AS Level and six modules to an A Level. The Further Pure modules extend the work covered in the core Maths modules. In addition to these modules, students will take a variety of applied modules including Decision Maths, Mechanics or Statistics.
Why study Further Maths? This course is chiefly for a student who wishes to study Mathematics, Engineering or any related subject in Higher Education. Many students who study this course go off to university and find the work covered is of great benefit. It is also good for those students who are considering applying for a competitive degree course, for example Medicine, Veterinary Science and/or is considering Oxbridge entry. Further Maths is a very impressive A Level to have on your CV and is not as difficult in content as you might expect.
Many students who follow the full A Level course opt to study 7 rather than 6 modules to enhance their understanding of the subject and to give themselves a better chance of a top grade. For those who study just the 6 modules there is an element of choice in which modules to take.
My enjoyment of Maths has definitely grown since I have come to Carmel. One reason for this is that I have particularly loved the Mechanics unit in AS Further Maths, as it shows how Maths can be applied to real life problems. Also, I have found the Maths department to be very supportive, especially in the lead up to exams. This has been very reassuring as I am hoping to gain entrance into a top university to study Medicine. As well as working hard, I am also looking forward to the Maths trip to China in the summer!
How is the course examined? At AS Level, you will take Mechanics 1 and Decision 2 in January followed by Further Pure 1 in June. At A2 Level, you will take three (or four) modules from Further Pure 2, Further Pure 3, Statistics 2 and Mechanics 2.
Rachel Pennington St Gregory’s Catholic High School Studying: Maths, Further Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Critical Thinking
Meet the Tutors
A Level Further Maths results Total Total Pass Year A* A B C D E U Entries Passes Rate
Peter Olsen
2008
15 13 4
2
0
0
34
34
100%
Michael Griffiths
2009
13 10 3
3
0
0
29
29
100%
Matthew Pennington
2010
9
12
2
4
1
1
0
29
29
100%
Joshua Robinson
2011 11 16
7
1
3
0
0
38
38
100%
Laura Ashurst
2012
7 15
2
0
0
39
39
100%
Philip Kearsley
3
12
Nichola Mercer
Katherine Jones
Daniel’s Perspective I like the way Statistics brings mathematics to life as you are able to see the real life implications of the calculations we do in class. The highlight of my time here has been the overall atmosphere around college and the extra responsibility of being treated like an adult. I have taken part in the College Ski trip and the Maths trip to China. I have enjoyed meeting new people and for my enrichment option, I have played in the college first team for football and made many new friends. I feel Carmel has prepared me fully for the future and what it brings and when I leave, I hope to do a Finance and Accountancy degree.
AS/A2 Statistics Exam Board AQA What is Statistics?
GCSE Maths work to look at the patterns in Statistics and how these are used in the analyses of situations in order to make reasonable judgements.
Statistics is an application of Mathematics but is a growing field of study in its own right; more and more areas of our lives are influenced by Statistics and knowing just how they fit into other studies must be an advantage.
How will I be assessed? Each module is examined without any coursework element. Module 1 in January of Lower Sixth, followed by modules 2 and 3 in June. The pattern is the same for the Upper Sixth – module 4 in January and finally modules 5 and 6 in June. During the year you will complete practice sheets and there will be topic tests and a mock test at the end of each module.
Statistics is used in everything from deciding how much orange juice Tesco will buy next year to whether or not a new drug will indeed cure a serious illness. It is said that no-one can now expect to get through their working life without some contact with computers; the same is rapidly becoming true of Statistics.
What will Statistics prepare me for?
What will I study?
Statistics A Level is a reputable subject and a good grade in this will help with any Higher Education application. It will also be a major benefit to any qualification involving Psychology, Geography and Biology. Statistics is now used so widely that many employers would see some qualification in Statistics as a distinct advantage. Many students have enjoyed Statistics so much that they go on to study it further at university.
As with all other AS and A Levels the course is divided into six modules. At first much of the work is learning the ‘tools of the trade’, but we soon start to apply them in analysing data and understanding what it is telling us. We will consider types of data and how to handle it, we will be doing probability again, but more importantly we move from the
Daniel Borg-Oliver St Edwards College Studying: Statistics, Maths, Economics, Computing
A Level Statistics results Total Total Pass Year A* A B C D E U Entries Passes Rate
UK Senior Maths Challenge
2008
1
3
4
2
2
0
12
12
100%
2009
2
2
6
2
0
0
12
12
100%
2010
0
1
2
3
1
0
0
7
7
100%
2011
1
6
7 12
4
1
0
31
31
100%
2012
1
0
6
4
1
1
19
18
95%
6
AS/A2 Use of Mathematics Exam Board AQA Why study this subject? This course provides an opportunity to study Mathematics beyond GCSE for those who enjoy or need Mathematics at AS Level but who do not require the traditional A Level Mathematics qualification to pursue their future career. The course develops understanding and resourcefulness in the use of mathematics and covers the mathematics required to support all Science subjects, Psychology, Geography, and other subjects at A Level and beyond. What will I study? The course consists of three units which are each worth 1/3 of the AS qualification: Algebra: You will model real data with appropriate functions and investigate functions commonly used to model practical situations using graphing and analytical techniques. Data Analysis: You will learn about statistical measures and diagrams and develop an understanding of key ideas about the distribution of data, the use of important statistical models, and about correlation and regression. Decision Mathematics: This has become popular in recent decades because of its applications to computer science. Many of the
problems involve Optimisation (finding an efficient solution) and hence methods are applicable to many real world situations. Teaching and learning styles You will experience traditional lessons, self study units, use of IT, tutorial support, and regular structured homework assignments. You will investigate situations and use data that is meaningful to the rest of your study program, work or interests. You will use the graphic calculator CASIO FX-9750 G PLUS throughout the course.
Danny’s Perspective Carmel has a friendly and enjoyable atmosphere that provides a fresh challenge after moving up from high school. I really enjoy the Use of Maths course as it allows me to relate the maths to every day uses, which is significantly beneficial to me as it can link into my Business and Product Design lessons. The Maths department also offers an end of year trip to Barcelona which is highly recommended as a great way to end the year. After Carmel I plan to go to university to study Business and Management.
Where can this subject lead? Students intending to follow a degree path in Computing, Economics, Engineering, Medicine or Physics will probably find the traditional A Level Mathematics a condition of entry to university courses, however all other courses will welcome A Level Use of Mathematics. Students intending to follow a path in Finance, Business, the Sciences or Social Sciences will find this qualification of benefit on their university course. Mathematical skills are highly prized and a qualification in some form of mathematics will be valuable when applying for university entry and will give you a very significant advantage in the job market. Danny McNally Wade Deacon Studying: Use of Maths, Product Design, Business Studies
Extension Awards and Competitions The particularly gifted mathematician at Carmel will have the opportunity to study for the Advanced Extension Award. This is a nationally recognised qualification that will benefit those students who want to study Maths at the most prestigious universities. Students will also receive tuition for the entry exams (STEP papers) required for Oxford and Cambridge. Maths students can also take part in competitions including: the UK Senior Maths Challenge and the National Senior Maths Team Challenge, both of which are organised by the UK Maths Trust. 2011 also saw two teams of A2 Maths students taking part in the Sixth Form Pop Maths Quiz organised by The Liverpool Maths Society at John Moores University. The competition involved solving a variety of mathematical problems against teams from other colleges across Merseyside. Both teams performed very well and achieved runners-up prizes for their efforts which were worth £20 of WHSmith vouchers.
Enrichment Opportunities
UK Senior Maths Challenge winners 2011
UK Senior Maths Challange Silver winners 2012
Students have the opportunity to participate in many maths enrichment opportunities here at Carmel. For example, this year AS Further Maths students went to Liverpool to attend a lecture in the Maths Inspiration series. Guest speakers included the designer of the London Eye and “The Big One” in Blackpool. The group discovered the mathematical secrets of rollercoasters, global warming … and The Simpsons! In previous years, students have attended lectures where they heard and saw Maths applied to Music, Psychology and Computing. They have also visited the University of Liverpool to hear Professor Marcus du Sautoy, presenter of BBC series ‘The Story of Maths’, present on the topic Finding Moonshine: a Mathematician’s Journey through Symmetry.
UK Senior Maths Challange Gold winner 2012
Trips Abroad Over the last few years, the Maths department has organised two 4-day trips to Paris and Barcelona plus a 9 day trip to China in 2012. In Barcelona, the group visits included Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia and Parc Guell, the Gothic Quarter, Camp Nou and Port Aventura. In China the itinerary included visits to the Olympic Park, Tiananmen Square, the Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors, Huaqing Hot Spring Park to name but a few! All the visits were a huge success and enjoyed by students and staff alike!
Magic square in door of Sagrada Familia
Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia
The Olympic Stadium (Birds Nest), Beijing
Students at The Great Wall of China
Progression to Higher Education A very high percentage of maths students progress from Carmel onto higher education. Every year, progression rates are well over 80%. We are also proud of the fact that each year approximately a quarter of these students go on to study maths or a maths related subject at university. Yet more evidence that students have found their maths studies enjoyable and stimulating at Carmel! Robert Reynolds Rainford Technology College University of Liverpool Accounting (2:1)
Lisa Holland Cowley Language College University of Durham Mathematics (final year) After leaving Carmel I went to the University of Durham to study Mathematics where I am thoroughly enjoying the course and all aspects of university life! I have chosen to study a module in Business Studies alongside my Maths modules as the course is very flexible, and have joined numerous societies since arriving in Durham, such as Music, Dance and Singstar! The traditional side of the university is also fantastic and the collegiate system gives an amazing sense of community and opportunity to meet lots of people of all ages. After university I am considering a range of careers including Accountancy and Management.
After leaving Carmel I went to Liverpool University and studied Accounting, and graduated with a 2:1 in 2007. In May of that year I was elected to my local parish council and over the summer I spent three days working as an assistant to a Member of the European Parliament in Brussels. In August I started working in corporate tax for KPMG one of the “big four” accounting firms in Liverpool. I really enjoy my work and like the challenge of studying for two chartered accounting qualifications. My work has already taken me to London and Edinburgh and I hope to pursue further opportunities to travel in future. I really enjoyed my time at Carmel and the relaxed atmosphere and focus on independent study really helped prepare me for life at university.
Paul Swift De La Salle School Cambridge, Trinity College Natural Sciences
Lauren Chisnall Rainhill High School Imperial College London Geophysics
Carmel has a great atmosphere with fabulous teaching and the opportunity to meet lots of new people. I’d recommend it to anyone for a great two years and perfect preparation for university!
Phyo Khaing St Gregory’s Catholic High School University of Birmingham Medicine
Michael Briers Prescot School University of Liverpool Mathematics
Frequently Asked Questions What is the Maths department like?
supplement a student’s own revision programme.
The Maths department is located in its own teaching block which houses a suite of 8 modern, bright and spacious classrooms. Each classroom has a multi-media projector and interactive whiteboard which is linked to the college network and internet. In addition, the Maths block also has a computer suite and a fully resourced student work base. Daily timetabled support tutorials take place in this work base.
No Maths student at Carmel is ever struggling for support at this critical time in the academic year.
What support will I receive? The support systems within the Maths department are almost legendary. Each student’s needs are continually assessed and monitored throughout the year. Formal daily tutorials are then in place to address the specific problems students are having. Students also get a great deal of individual support from their tutors who regularly give up their free time. At exams time the department also runs a much valued comprehensive series of revision tutorials to
More Information Course Specifications are available from the AQA Exam Board website: www.aqa.org.uk
How successful are Carmel’s Maths students? At Carmel we are extremely proud of the outstanding results Mathematics students have obtained over a period of many years and for a substantial number this has been a grade A or B. For others however a pass grade is a real achievement and we are just as proud of this. We aim to bring out the very best in all our students, whatever their potential or their academic ability. What are the entry requirements for these courses? AS Maths – GCSE grade B in Maths AS Further Maths – GCSE grade A in Maths AS Statistics – GCSE grade B in Maths or grade B in Statistics AS Use of Maths – GCSE grade C in Maths
Why are our Maths results so outstanding? • an excellent course structure • individual targets set for each student, which are monitored and checked on regular occasions throughout the course • rigorous homework policy • high expectations of all of our students • regular testing and monitoring of progress • intensive tutorial programme in periods leading up to external examinations • excellent relationships between students and staff • very approachable and experienced staff • extensive support systems