Course information
Mathematical Studies
West Buckland School - Devon
01598760000
West Buckland, Barnstaple, EX32 0SX
Course summary

Core maths is a Level 3 qualification for students who wish to develop their practical maths skills for the real world, be it in work, study or everyday life. Core maths is about students doing meaningful mathematical problems to increase their confidence in using maths and to be better equipped for the mathematical demands of other courses, higher education, employment and life. The content of the course is focused on the practical application of mathematics and would suit students who would like to develop their mathematical skills to assist further study, but who may find an A-level in mathematics too challenging. It has the same number of UCAS points as an AS level and is assessed by final examination after two years of study. The subject will be delivered in four periods per fortnight, half the time of an A-level. Core maths has been designed to maintain and develop real-life maths skills. What you study is not purely theoretical or abstract; it can be applied on a day-to-day basis in work, study or life and includes a financial maths element. It will also help with other A-level subjects, in particular with science, geography, business studies, psychology and economics.

Entry requirements

Before being accepted into the Sixth Form on our standard academic programme, we would normally expect you to have acquired a minimum of five GCSE passes at grade 5 or above on the new 9-1 grading scale (grade C and above for A*-G Welsh and some iGCSE programmes). However, individual circumstances and choice of subjects are taken into account. A prospective student for an individual A-level subject should achieve at least a grade 5 in that subject at GCSE. In some subjects, higher GCSE grades are required. Modern foreign languages require a grade 6 at GCSE and science subjects (biology, chemistry, physics) require a grade 7 (double 7 in combined science), although a grade 6 may be considered in exceptional circumstances. Those wishing to study mathematics will have a minimum of a grade 7 at GCSE, while for further mathematics it is grade 8. For psychology A-level, it is expected that students will have a least grade 5 in GCSE English language, mathematics and at least one science. New students – UK: Every year we welcome new students from both independent and state schools into our Sixth Form. Every applicant is considered individually. If you are available, please come to our Open Evening in October. We also recommend you visit us on a normal school day where you will have the chance to meet the Headmaster, Head of Sixth Form and current students. Offers are made on the basis of an interview and are conditional on your GCSE results. New students – International: International students are expected to have a reasonable competence in spoken and written English on arrival at West Buckland and the ability to progress with the specialist support of the EAL department. Overseas students applying to study at West Buckland should provide the following to start their application: • Copies of their last two school reports. • A piece of their handwriting (one to two sides of A4), written in English, telling us about themselves, their hobbies and interests.

How you'll be assessed

2 x 2 hour papers. Paper 1: Introduction to Quantitative Reasoning Paper 2: Statistical Problem Solving

School Info

About Education Provider

RegionSouth West
Local AuthorityDevon
Ofsted Rating
Gender TypeCo-Educational
ISI ReportView Report
Boarding FeeDay £9,090 - £20,640; Boarding £27,090 - £40,290
Sixth Form FeeUnknown
AddressWest Buckland, Barnstaple, EX32 0SX