GCE Mathematics 2008: We are thinking of offering Further Mathematics to a small group in our sixth form. How do other centres timetable this? Do you mix Year 12 and 13 students? Will the change to Edexcel’s specification with an FP1 at AS help this process?

The way we do it is to teach the whole of A level Maths in Year 12 and then the whole of A level Further Maths in Year 13. If students have a good GCSE background Maths A level is usually OK. One plus of doing it this way is that in the Autumn of Year 13 they apply via UCAS with Maths A level in the bag, rather than predicted.

We also take the 6 Maths modulesin Y12. They are taught on 12 x 35 min periods (2 per module), instead of the normal subject allocation of 16 x 35 min periods.  Most then go on to the full further A2, though some drop down to AS Further in Y13. Some single maths students take up AS further maths in Y13, but this means reordering the C3/C4 for their single maths lessons. We don't mix Y12 and Y13 students. Most choose F Maths as a 5th AS.

 

We also currently teach the whole of A-level Maths in Y12 to our Further Maths students, the the whole of Further Maths in Y13.

In Y12 they have some Applications units with other groups, but all the core is taught separately. In Y13 all their lessons are usually separate, apart from D1 which is taught in one period a week for one term, with a lot of independednt study, together with those who pick up AS FM in Y13. 

However, under the  new system, with FP1 being an AS unit, we are still working on the best way to offer it.

I will write a separate message about this, as I would welcome some comments.

Caroline

 With small numbers at Further Maths, in yr 12 we teach M1, M2 and S2 (plus the C3/C4 calculus) alongside the normal AS course C1, C2, S1 and then M3 or S3, FP1, FP2 alongside the normal A2 course C3, C4 and D1. This works OK but leaves too much Pure for year 13. However, it does enable pupils to pick up either AS or the full A level in Further Maths after year 12. We give full allocation to both subjects (290 mins a week)

We try to enable our best mathematicians to do some Add Maths or C1 work in year 11. If C1 has been mostly covered, we sometimes put the Further Mathematicians into the Year 13 A2 classes alongside Year 12 AS giving them C1-C4, S1 and D1 in year 12. We then use our 290 minute allocation to split the year 13 Further Mathematicans into a seperate group and can thus teach the modules in a more sensible order.

With the new FP1, I suspect we will continue as above, but teach FP1 instead of  S2 in year 12 on model one.