Devonport High School for Girls

Head of Department

Mr N Riseborough BSc (Hons), PGCE

Statement of Intent

At the core of everything we do is the ideal that mathematics at DHSG should be an exciting adventure where our students are guided to discover the richness and variety of our subject.

Though our bespoke and ambitious curriculum, we aim to stimulate our students’ interest in and enthusiasm for mathematics, with a commitment to fostering a positive attitude towards their studies.

Whilst striving to grow a love of studying mathematics for its own sake, it is important that our girls recognise the diverse applications of our subject and how it underpins almost every area of the wider curriculum, from the more obvious science and computing links, through to the music and art subjects.

Our curriculum offer is much more than teaching the skills required for the GCSE. We teach our girls to ask questions, think critically, and respond with brave reliance when faced with unfamiliar situations.

It is our intention that at the end of the middle years, all girls have a positive view of mathematics and are confident and fluent with the curriculum. Girls will have outstanding foundations for any further study and, importantly, enter the world beyond school as highly numerate citizens.

A Level Course Outline

Mathematics studied at GCSE is extended with students building on their algebra, geometry and trigonometry skills in addition to discovering calculus. Students will be required to problem solve to encourage a deeper understanding of mathematics in a variety of contexts and use appropriate technology to extend the range of problems they can solve. Throughout the course they will use ‘real-life’ data to solve ‘real-world’ problems. Over the two year course, students will be taught Core Pure Mathematics and Applied Mathematics in Statistics and Mechanics.

Higher Education and Career Opportunities

Mathematics at A Level is a fascinating, rewarding and satisfying subject and forms the basis for many other subjects. It is highly regarded by employers and Higher Education establishments, with many degrees containing some elements of mathematics.

Careers in Sciences, Engineering, Medicine, Business, Economics, Geography and Design, amongst many others, will benefit from mathematical studies at a high level.

Course Content

Examination Board	OCR (MEI)	Full details of the specification and assessment criteria can be found on the OCR website Mathematics B (MEI) - H630, H640
Both the AS and the A Level courses are divided into components. Both courses have Pure Mathematics, Mechanics and Statistics integrated into their studies. The full A Level course also contains a Pure Mathematics and Comprehension component. The content for A Level contains additional material. All components are assessed in the summer via a written examination with one additional comprehension paper required for the full A Level course. Students cannot certify for an A Level and AS Level in the same examination period.
AS Level		Pure Mathematics and Mechanics 50% of total AS Level (1 hour 30 minutes written paper) Pure Mathematics and Statistics 50% of total AS Level (1 hour 30 minutes written paper)
A Level		Pure Mathematics and Mechanics 36.4% of total A Level 2 hour written paper Pure Mathematics and Statistics 36.4% of total A Level 2 hour written paper Pure Mathematics and Comprehension 27.3% of total A Level 2 hour written paper

Examination Board

OCR

(MEI)

Full details of the specification and assessment criteria can be found on the OCR website

Mathematics B (MEI) - H630, H640

Both the AS and the A Level courses are divided into components. Both courses have Pure Mathematics, Mechanics and Statistics integrated into their studies. The full A Level course also contains a Pure Mathematics and Comprehension component. The content for A Level contains additional material.

All components are assessed in the summer via a written examination with one additional comprehension paper required for the full A Level course. Students cannot certify for an A Level and AS Level in the same examination period.

AS Level

Pure Mathematics and Mechanics
50% of total AS Level
(1 hour 30 minutes written paper)

Pure Mathematics and Statistics
50% of total AS Level
(1 hour 30 minutes written paper)

A Level

Pure Mathematics and Mechanics
36.4% of total A Level
2 hour written paper

Pure Mathematics and Statistics
36.4% of total A Level
2 hour written paper

Pure Mathematics and Comprehension
27.3% of total A Level
2 hour written paper

Curriculum Programmes of Study

Year	Cycle	Content
Year 12	Cycle 1	Trigonometry Surds and indices Quadratic functions Kinematics 1 Equations and inequalities Graphs and transformations The binomial expansion Vectors Polynomials
	Cycle 2	Forces and Newton’s laws of motion 1 Coordinate geometry Differentiation Data collection Data processing, presentation and interpretation Probability
	Cycle 3	Forces and Newton’s laws of motion 2 Statistical hypothesis testing using the binomial distribution Integration Exponentials and logarithms Variable acceleration Sequences and series Functions Differentiation Trigonometry
Year 13	Cycle 1	Vectors Trigonometric functions Kinematics Projectiles Trigonometric identities Further differentiation Probability Probability distributions Force and motion
	Cycle 2	Integration Algebra Parametric equations Proof Hypothesis testing
	Cycle 3	Friction Differential equations Moments Numerical methods