Mathematics (Further)

Course summary

Further Mathematics is a terrible name for our A level: it sounds like an entirely unconvincing euphemism for ‘more hard sums’, and fails to describe this beautiful, powerful, valuable and stimulating subject. The transferable skills of logical thinking and clear expression are invaluable across the full range of academic subjects, and not just obviously quantitative subjects like physics and engineering. Further Mathematics is undoubtedly a challenge but that is also one of the main reasons why it is so highly regarded, and the reason why those who have completed the course are often so proud of their achievements. It is worth noting that level Further Mathematics is not a minority subject at Highgate, there are currently around 40 pupils studying it in Year 12. You can’t study A-level Further Mathematics without studying A-level Mathematics: you are simultaneously choosing two of the four subjects that you study. It is permissible to study Mathematics, Further Mathematics and one other subject in Year 13, though many decide not to drop anything at the end of Year 12. Further mathematicians are an individual group, taught separately from the single mathematicians. You have twenty-four lessons per fortnight with three teachers looking at different aspects of the subject. There are three small classes each year, to maximise the attention and help that you receive from teachers. Unlike single mathematics, where all the material is compulsory, you can specialise in either mechanics or statistics. For example, if you are more interested in statistical applications then you can choose to ‘major’ in statistics or if you are veering towards physics or engineering, you can concentrate on mechanics and take the ‘minor’ paper in statistics.