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Latin (OCR) Mathematics (EDEXCEL)

Latin is universally recognised as a rigorous academic subject, which has had a profound influence upon every aspect of Western civilisation, both in the sciences and the arts.

Studying Latin at A Level provides plenty of scope for discussion and sharing ideas as students develop their translation and literary criticism techniques. There are regular translations set to allow consolidation of grammar, vocabulary and syntax systematically. As skills develop, students are able to read original Latin texts unseen, on topics as diverse as advice for dealing with unrequited love (Ovid) to the early foundation myths of Rome (Livy).

Reading the literature set texts, students will find themselves discussing and exploring some surprisingly modern topics. In the first year of the course, oratory and rhetoric is explored through examination of Cicero’s politically savvy speeches. Themes of duty, heroism and identity are also addressed in sections from Virgil’s great epic, The Aeneid. Students then have input as to which texts they may be interested in studying in the second year of the course.

In Latin, students are required to develop analytical, literary and linguistic skills; these are deservedly respected by employers. Latin may be read at university as a subject in its own right, as part of a dazzling array of Classics degrees, or jointly with other languages, ancient and modern. ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

• A Level course

LANGUAGE

Students will focus on developing their translation skills so that they are able to tackle the reading of un-adapted texts from two important Roman authors.

PROSE LITERATURE

Students will explore the works of Roman historians, orators and political commentators.

VERSE LITERATURE

Students will delve into the works of both epic and elegiac poets.

Assessment is through written examination, with 50% of the marks available for language and 50% for literature.

Mathematics is a subject that provides excellent transferable skills that can be applied to a wide range of subjects.

Universities place a high value on this subject because it shows the individual is capable of in-depth, independent study.

The course covers three main areas of mathematics: pure mathematics, mechanics and statistics. Within the new course all students are required to study all three areas. Through studying A Level Mathematics students will learn how to construct and present mathematical arguments and proofs and develop their problem solving skills.

The new course places a greater emphasis on the application of mathematics to the real world.

In Mechanics, students learn about the simplifying assumptions needed to enable us to model real world situations. In Statistics, students will work with a large data set where they will learn about the issues that can arise with real world data such as missing data points, outliers and errors.

Further Information is available from Mr Myers amyers@badmintonschool.co.uk

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Students sit three 2 hour papers each contributing 33.33% of the final mark.

PAPER 1 AND PAPER 2: Pure Mathematics

• Proof • Algebra and functions • Coordinate Geometry • Sequences and series • Trigonometry • Exponentials and logarithms • Differentiation • Integration • Numerical Methods • Vectors

PAPER 3: Statistics and Mechanics

• Sampling • Data Presentation and interpretation • Probability • Statistical distributions • Hypothesis testing • Quantities and units in mechanics • Kinematics • Forces and Newton’s laws • Moments