Mathematics

Mathematics and Further Mathematics are versatile qualifications, well-respected by employers and are both “facilitating” subjects for entry to higher education. There are a range of levels of Mathematical study available in the Sixth Form on both the A level and IB diploma programme; we are confident that there is something for everyone!

In the study of Mathematics at any level we will enable you to become better at thinking logically and analytically. Through solving problems, you will develop resilience and develop your ability to think creatively and strategically. The writing of structured solutions, proof and justification of results will help you to formulate reasoned arguments. Importantly, you will develop excellent numeracy skills and the ability to process and interpret data. These skills are of great benefit in other subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computing, Geography, Psychology, Economics and Business Studies. It is no wonder that Mathematics is one of the most popular Sixth Form choices at the Royal High School Bath.

At A Level, this is an interesting and challenging course, which extends the methods you learned at GCSE and includes much more Statistics and Mechanics. A Level Further Maths is necessary if you would like to do Mathematics or Engineering at University. It broadens your Mathematical skills and promotes deeper thinking, exploring interesting new areas of Pure Mathematics such as Complex Numbers as well as applications in Decision making.

The standard level course syllabus focuses on important mathematical topics that are interconnected. The syllabus is organised and structured with the following principles in mind: placing more emphasis on student understanding of fundamental concepts than on symbolic manipulation and complex manipulative skills; giving greater emphasis to developing students’ mathematical reasoning rather than performing routine operations; solving mathematical problems embedded in a wide range of contexts; and using the calculator effectively.

Each student completes a project, based on their own research; this is guided and supervised by the teacher. The project provides an opportunity for students to take sole responsibility to carry out a mathematical study of their choice using their own experience, knowledge and skills acquired during the course. Students most likely to select this course are those whose main interests lie outside the field of mathematics, and for many students this course will be their final experience of being taught formal mathematics.

The Higher level course is demanding and requires students to study a broad range of mathematical topics through a number of different approaches and to varying degrees of depth. It focuses on developing important mathematical concepts in a comprehensible, coherent and rigorous way. This is achieved by means of a carefully balanced approach. Students are encouraged to apply their mathematical knowledge to solve problems set in a variety of meaningful contexts. Students embarking on this course should expect to develop insight into mathematical form and structure, and should be intellectually equipped to appreciate the links between concepts in different topic areas. They should also be encouraged to develop the skills needed to continue their mathematical growth in other learning environments.

Careers with good mathematics skills and qualifications are not only well paid, but they are also often interesting and rewarding, and we are proud to have alumnae of our maths classes excelling at top universities each year.