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Core Mathematics

Introduction to Department:  

Core Maths is a Level 3 qualification which continues to develop students’ mathematical skills and thinking beyond GCSE level. It sits comfortably between GCSE and A-Level Mathematics and enables students to continue to develop their mathematical thinking to solve problems drawn from other subjects, work and real-life. 

Core Maths focuses on using mainly familiar mathematical ideas in a range of contexts to help prepare students to be competent and confident in using maths in their studies, careers and lives. 

The following could help pupils choose Core Maths. 

  • The mathematical content of the Core Maths course is very useful in supporting other A-Level subjects which involve statistical analysis, such as biology, geography, psychology and business. 
  • Core Maths attracts up to 20 UCAS points, the same as an AS qualification, and many universities will make an offer including Core Maths with reduced A level requirements. 
  • Pupil’s further education or career is likely to require critical analysis involving data and Core Maths develops the ability to construct a reasoned and structured argument. 
  • Core Maths will develop pupils’ understanding about personal finance, for example student loans, mortgages, tax and inflation. 
  • Core Maths should not be considered a replacement for A Level Mathematics and is viewed as a very different qualification by universities  

 

Results & Achievements:

Core Maths pupils at BWS consistently achieve high grades with around 80% of pupils achieving top grade A.

Recommended reading list:  

  • Humble Pi: A Comedy of Maths Errors : Parker, Matt 
  • How Many Socks Make a Pair? : Rob Eastaway 
  • Why Do Buses Come in Threes? : Rob Eastaway and Jeremy Wyndham 

Learning by Key Stage  

KS5: 

AQA Core Maths is offered at BWS as an alternative to an EPQ for students who are not studying A Level mathematics. It is studied as a 1-year course in Year 12 with half the time given to full A-level subjects. Core maths lessons have a different feel to GCSE mathematics in that they often consider open ended problems, in a real-world context. The course is assessed via two external examinations in May of Year 12, each of 1 hour 30 minutes and of equal weighting, and the results are received prior to university applications. 

The course consists of the following: 

  • Analysis of Data – this includes calculating statistics such as the mean, median, mode range and standard deviation, as well as producing statistical graphs such as histograms, cumulative frequency.  
  • Personal Finance – this studies income tax, national insurance, student loans and mortgages.  
  • Critical Analysis – involves analysing and critiquing other peoples’ statistical reports.  
  • Fermi Estimation – a method used to estimate for a value with little or no actual data by making justified guesses about quantities.  
  • Along with an optional module for which the school has chosen to study:  
  • Graphical techniques – this covers exponential and logarithmic graphs which are commonly used in other A level subjects. 

Staff

Head of Department: Mrs J Barrett jb@bishopwordsworths.org.uk   

Teachers of: 

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