Sutton Grammar School

Department of Mathematics

A level Maths Induction Booklet

2021-2022
 Welcome to SGS’s Maths Department
Within this booklet you will find detailed information about both single and further mathematics courses
offered in the Sixth Form at SGS.
Whether you are new to the 6 th form or joining it from our current year 11 cohort, there has never been a more
important time to consider studying mathematics at A level.
Whilst we hope that you wish to study A level mathematics purely on the grounds of taking your interest in the
discipline further, we realise that, for many of you, it is necessary for the path you wish to pursue at university.
In addition to gaining acceptance on to many science and engineering undergraduate courses, A level
mathematics is also a prerequisite for economics degrees and looked upon favourably in relation to a range of
others, such as those connected with the social sciences.
The new A level syllabus contains material requested by universities; this will ensure that the start of your
degree will be less stressful, as you will commence your university career with the foundational material you
need already in place.
The study of mathematics cultivates problem solving skills by developing logical thinking and the ability to
approach multi-stage questions; for this reason it is hugely relevant in today’s working environment and valued
by a whole range of employers.
The mathematics department at SGS guarantees you an exciting and challenging two years; the Sixth Form is a
great place to study and I hope you find the following information useful.
Miss T van Zyl
Head of Mathematics
 Staff
We boast a well-qualified staff who share a passion for the subject whilst each having their specialist areas, and
we are always (almost!) willing to discuss curriculum work and recreational mathematics with students outside
of lessons.

Miss T van Zyl (Head of Faculty) [email protected]

Miss L Hankin (Second in Faculty) [email protected]
Miss J Richards [email protected]
Mr C Hoedoafia [email protected]
Mr T O’Dee [email protected]
Mr A Penfold [email protected]
Mr J Capocci [email protected]
Mr B A Cloves [email protected]
Mrs S Belton (Faculty Assistant) [email protected]

Requirements for acceptance on A level maths

courses.
• Both external and current SGS students must achieve a grade 8 or higher at GCSE to start the A level
maths course.
• Students wishing to take further maths as well must have a GCSE level 9.
 Options

Single A level: Mathematics

• AS and A level will be separate qualifications. An AS level qualification will no longer count towards
an A level.
• A level Mathematics in year 12 and year 13 will have 100% prescribed content, containing both pure
and applied (no optional content). Mechanics and Statistics will be part of the compulsory content for
both year 12 and year 13 Single Maths students.
• A level Mathematics in year 12 and year 13 have a simple 2:1 ratio of pure to applied content. The A
level Mathematics qualification offers a simple three-paper model with calculator usage allowed in all
three papers (first assessed summer 2019).

Qualification Component Assessment

A Level Paper 1: Pure Maths 2 hours, 100 marks
Mathematics Paper 2: Pure Maths 2 hours, 100 marks
(Y13) Paper 3: Statistics and 2 hours, 100 marks
Mechanics

Two A levels: Mathematics and Further Mathematics

• We will deliver A level Further Mathematics following on from A level Mathematics.
• All Further Mathematics students will study Core Pure 1, Core Pure 2, Further Statistics 1 and Further
Mechanics 1.

Qualification Component Assessment

A Level Paper 1: Pure Maths 2 hours, 100 marks
Mathematics Paper 2: Pure Maths 2 hours, 100 marks
(Y13) Paper 3: Statistics and 2 hours, 100 marks
Mechanics
A Level Further Paper 1: Core Pure 1 1.5 hours, 75 marks
Mathematics Paper 2: Core Pure 2 1.5 hours, 75 marks
(Y13) Paper 3: Further 1.5 hours, 75 marks
Statistics 1
Paper 4: Further 1.5 hours, 75 marks
Mechanics 1

Attendance
We expect good attendance (90% or above) otherwise your place on the course might be at risk. Should you be
unable to attend a lesson, for whatever reason, you MUST catch up on the work missed. You will need to copy
someone else’s notes and find out what homework has been set. If possible, this should be completed before the
next lesson.
 Teaching
Single maths
• You will have two teachers in the lower sixth; one for pure and one for applied (Statistics and
Mechanics).
• You will have 11 taught periods of maths per fortnight; four of which will cover the applied topics.
Each lesson is 45 minutes long.
• You are expected to complete 4 hours of private study per week. This is a combination of homework
and independent work using the resources provided.

Further maths
• Further Mathematicians will have 4 teachers; two for pure and two for applied (one for Statistics and
one for Mechanics).
• You will have 20 taught periods of Maths per fortnight; eight of which will cover the applied topics.
Each lesson is 45 minutes long.
• You are expected to complete 7.5 hours of private study per week. This is a combination of homework
and independent work using the resources provided.

Private study/Homework
• You should expect to spend as much time working on your Maths outside of lessons as you do in them.
• Be prepared to get stuck and not give up – seek help from a teacher!
• You will be expected to complete exercises started in class and also to use your own initiative to
consolidate class work, asking for help when necessary. The maths department has a policy that any
student can ask any teacher for help.

Maths mentoring
Are you an ambitious Maths student looking to further your school experience by supporting younger pupils in
their lessons? This is an exciting opportunity that will appeal to academically strong and socially aware students
who are looking to develop skills associated with supporting students that need extra support in key stages 3 or
4.

For this position, you should be a keen Maths A level student who demonstrates passion for the subject and an
ability to clearly explain complex problems to others. The department needs Maths mentors who have the skills
to help students reach their potential. You will be an A level student who can inspire and motivate those
younger than you to always strive to achieve the best. The Maths mentoring position is open to those who have
the confidence to establish new relationships with people of all levels both quickly and effectively.

The maths mentoring position requires you to commit to at least one lesson a week in order to build up a
rapport with those students you are working with. To apply, please speak to one of your Maths teachers.
 Textbooks
Since September 2013 an annual textbook rental charge has been levied. If you decide to purchase textbooks
this rental charge will obviously not apply.

For the academic year commencing September 2021 the annual charge to those studying Single Mathematics
will be £10 and £20 for those who are studying Further Mathematics. For your information a Single
Mathematician will be issued two textbooks each year and a Further Mathematician will be issued five
textbooks in year 12 and three in year 13. The cost for each textbook is in the region of £19.

Please note that all textbooks still have to be returned at the end of year 13 and that you will be liable for the
replacement cost of any book not returned.

If ParentPay is available, the annual rental charge should be paid by credit card or debit card, in full, via
ParentPay, on or before 3rd September 2021 (10th September if you are a joiner). Please contact Mrs J
Georgiou in the finance office if you have any queries about paying for this item. Her email address is
[email protected].

Calculators
Over the last few years there have been a number of changes to the Maths Curriculum and this has had an
impact on the calculators that are compulsory to studying this course. The requirements of calculators for the
new A level far exceed the capability of the calculators which are satisfactory for GCSE Maths.

With immediate effect, A level students will require a calculator that can calculate Binomial and Normal
probabilities directly from values. The minimum standard for this is an advanced scientific calculator, such as
the Casio FX-991 EX ClassWiz. Other calculators are also available but we recommend that everyone uses the
same calculator to avoid confusion. These specific calculators are also referenced, together with tutorials, in our
new AS and A level Maths and Further Maths textbooks.

Please avoid buying the ClassWiz from Amazon as they may be selling non UK imports which may arrive with
foreign language instruction manuals. We are arranging a bulk order and are able to purchase the ClassWiz
calculator at a discounted price. If you wish to purchase this calculator, then please make payment via the
school’s secure online payment facility, ParentPay, which can be accessed from our website
www.suttongrammar.sutton.sch.uk. All orders and therefore payments must be received by Friday 17th
September 2021.

Predicted grades
UCAS predicted grades in Maths are based on the grade achieved in the summer mock examination. If you are
on the cusp of a grade we look back at results achieved in tests throughout the year. We also take into account
your general work ethic and attendance.
Condensed formulae sheets
 A level mark schemes
If you do a past paper question and want to check your solutions, you might find the mark scheme confusing.
This guide should help you make sense of it.

M marks: method marks are awarded for ‘knowing a method and attempting to apply it’.
A marks: Accuracy marks can only be awarded if the relevant method (M) marks have been earned.
B marks are unconditional accuracy marks (independent of M marks).

Abbreviations
• bod – benefit of doubt
• ft – follow through
• the symbol will be used for correct ft
• cao – correct answer only
• cso - correct solution only. There must be no errors in this part of the question to obtain this mark
• isw – ignore subsequent working
• awrt – answers which round to
• SC: special case
• oe – or equivalent (and appropriate)
• dep – dependent
• indep – independent
• dp decimal places
• sf significant figures
•＊ The answer is printed on the paper (eg in a ‘show that’ question)
• ［ The second mark is dependent on gaining the first mark