mathematics
AS/A2 Mathematics AS/A2 Further Mathematics AS/A2 Statistics
Welcome to the Maths Department at Carmel College The Mathematics Department at Carmel is one of the most outstanding in the country and was awarded a Grade 1 in the last OFSTED inspection. We currently have approximately 240 students studying AS Level Maths and 180 studying A2 Level. In addition to this we have over 90 students studying AS/A2 Level Further Maths and over 30 students studying AS/A2 Statistics. There are ten full-time Maths tutors.
AS/A2 Mathematics EXAM BOARD: AQA
These modules are concerned with how Maths can solve real-life problems. In the first year, non-physics students will study Decision 1 and Physics students will study Mechanics 1. In the second year most students will study Statistics 1.
WHY CHOOSE MATHEMATICS AT CARMEL?
meet the students LOUISE CASSIDY Prescot School
Studying: Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Business Studies What I particularly like about Maths is the way everything makes sense. I like the logical order of the equations. Whilst studying at Carmel I’ve also had the opportunity to visit Barcelona with the Maths department. The trip was amazing; we saw the magic square at Barcelona Cathedral where every combination added up to 33. Carmel is a great place to study as you have more freedom and you are pushed to achieve your maximum potential. When I leave I hope to achieve a first class Maths degree and work towards being an actuary.
meet the tutors PAUL VAUGHAN Head of Maths
IAN MORAN Assistant Head of Maths
PAUL MORRISON Assistant Head of Maths
PETER OLSEN Subject Tutor
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.
HOW IS THE COURSE EXAMINED? At AS Level, you will take Decision 1 or Mechanics 1 in January followed by Core 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.
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.
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.
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.
However, there are many other diverse areas where mathematical skills are recognised as invaluable and essential.
A Level Mathematics results Year
2006 2007 2008 2009
A* A
Pass B C
D
E
57 49
24 21
5
74 47
39 17
41 40 62 34
2010 25 51 38
28 19
30 19 22 22
6 8
4 5
Total Pass Fail Total U Entry Passes Rate 1
135
134
99%
2
155
153
98%
3 2 0
161 183 163
158 181 163
98% 99%
100%
AS/A2 Further Maths 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. 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.
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.
HOW IS THE COURSE EXAMINED? At AS Level, you will take Mechanics 1 in January followed by Further Pure 1 and Decision 2 in June. At A2 Level, you will take three (or four) modules from Further Pure 2, Further Pure 3, Statistics 2 and Mechanics 2.
Year
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
A* A 4
12
4
6
15 13 13 10
9 12
2
4
5
4
3
4
D 4
4
2
3
1
E 2
0
0
0
1
Fail Total Total Pass U Entry Passes Rate 2 0 0
0 0
20 27 34 29 29
MICHAEL MATHER Prescot School
Studying: Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry, Physics In Maths I enjoy using multiple methods to solve a problem in different ways. I have also attended Further Maths lectures which demonstrated the application of maths to real life complex problems. At Carmel there’s a really good work ethic, there are always places to work and tutors to see. You are given so many opportunities to better yourself at Carmel and the tutors really treat you like an adult. When I leave I hope to study Pure Maths at a high profile university.
meet the tutors
A Level Further Maths results Pass B C
meet the students
18 27 34 29 29
90%
100% 100% 100% 100%
NICHOLA MERCER MICHAEL GRIFFITHS MATTHEW PENNINGTON JOSHUA ROBINSON LAURA ASHURST PHILIP KEARSLEY
AS/A2 Statistics EXAM BOARD: AQA
WHAT IS STATISTICS?
HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?
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.
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.
meet the students SHAUN TURNER
WHAT WILL STATISTICS PREPARE ME FOR? 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.
WHAT WILL I STUDY? 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 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.
St Augustine’s
Studying: Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, P.E. I like Statistics as it challenges my knowledge in ways that other subjects don’t. Studying at Carmel you get treated like an adult and there’s always help from teachers for every subject. There are also lots of opportunities to do other activities, for example I participated in rugby for the college. When I leave I hope to become either an accountant or a quantity surveyor.
A Level Statistics results Year
A
2008
1
2007 2009 2010
B
0
1
2
2
1
3 2
Pass C D 3
4
6
2
4 3
2 1
E 1 2 0 0
Fail Total Total Pass U Entry Passes Rate 1
10
0
12
0 0
9
90%
12
12
100%
7
7
100%
12
100% UK Senior Maths Challenge
frequently Asked Questions
Maths trip to Barcelona
WHAT IS THE MATHS DEPARTMENT LIKE?
HOW SUCCESSFUL ARE CARMEL’S MATHS STUDENTS?
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 through a computer. 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.
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 SUPPORT WILL I RECEIVE?
Gaudi's Sagrada Familia
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.
A magic square in the door of the Sagrada Familia
Maths Department trip to Paris
At exams time the Department also runs a much valued comprehensive series of revision tutorials to supplement a student’s own revision programme. No Maths student at Carmel is ever struggling for support at this critical time in the academic year.
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
Students visit Disneyland Paris
• 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
UK Senior Maths Challange Gold winner
UK Senior Maths Challange Silver winners
EXTENSION AWARDS AND COMPETITIONS
ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES
The particularly gifted mathematician at
in many maths enrichment opportunities
Students have the opportunity to participate
Carmel will have the opportunity to study for
here at Carmel. For example, last year
the Advanced Extension Award. This is a
students attended a talk at Liverpool
nationally recognised qualification that will
University from Professor Marcus du Sautoy
benefit those students who want to study
(presenter of BBC series ‘The Story of
maths at the most prestigious universities.
Maths’) on the topic Finding Moonshine: a
Students will also receive tuition for the entry
Mathematician’s Journey through
exams (STEP papers) required for Oxford
Symmetry. Students also attended an event
and Cambridge.
in the Maths Inspirations series where they
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; and the Sixth Form Pop Maths Quiz organised by The Liverpool Maths Society. In the past, students and teams representing Carmel in these competitions have done exceptionally well attaining many prizes.
heard and saw maths applied to music, psychology and computing.
EUROPEAN TRIPS Over the last few years, the Maths department has organised two 4-day trips to Paris and Barcelona, taking approximately 40 students each time. We have visited many famous and fascinating locations. In Paris the itinerary included visits to the Science and Maths Museum, the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral and Disneyland. In Barcelona, the group visits included Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia and Parc Guell, the Gothic Quarter, Camp Nou and Port Aventura. Both visits were a huge success and great fun was had by all!
UK Senior Maths Challange Bronze winners
National Senior Maths Team Challenge
more information Course Specifications are available from the AQA Exam Board website:
www.aqa.org.uk
Progression to Higher Education A very high percentage of maths students progress from Carmel onto higher education. For example over the last three years the progression rates were 87%, 84% and 86%. 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!