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Mathematics
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Examination Board: Edexcel (Website) Why study Mathematics?The main role of Welbeck DSFC is to enable all students to go on to become technical officers, and in particular engineering officers. For this reason Mathematics A-level is a basic requirement, and so all students follow the Edexcel course for two years with the aim of achieving at least grade C. As can be seen from the tables below, this target is becoming realistic for all students. All examination boards have a compulsory 'Core' of 4 modules, which is 'Pure' mathematics, and is required by universities as a baseline. In addition, the choice units are the 'Application' modules, and we choose to take two mechanics units. Over the two years we do two examinations at the end of the first year, two more in the following January, and the final two at the end of the second year. This is a policy we have successfully used over the past three years. During this time the number of students in the lower sixth has increased to around 170, while the percentage of students gaining at least grade B at A-level is around 70%. 24 students achieved A* at Mathematics. With all 7 mathematics teachers being graduates of mathematics, and with determined and conscientious students working very hard, it is no surprise that these figures are so good. Our more able students are encouraged to work ahead of the class in the first year, and they may well take extra modules in both the first and second year. This is particularly useful for the few students who decide to take a full 'Further mathematics' A-level (twelve modules in total, three of which are studied out of normal class time by the students themselves). More and more students are taking AS-level Further Mathematics as an 'option' in the second year (27 this summer). This is an extra four periods per week, with a mixture of pure and applied mathematics. A record 12 students completed the A2 Further Maths with 3 at grade A* and 4 more at grade A. Lessons are generally teacher led activities, with increasing use of internet examples. Students are encouraged to use graphic calculators (for example the Casio fx 9750) as the advantages to lesson understanding and examination success are increased, though a good scientific calculator is more than adequate. |
![Welbeck Defence Sixth Form College (DSFC)](javascript:PopupPic("/academic/subjects/images/math1.jpg");) ![Welbeck Defence Sixth Form College (DSFC)](javascript:PopupPic("/academic/subjects/images/math4.jpg");) ![Welbeck Defence Sixth Form College (DSFC)](javascript:PopupPic("/academic/subjects/images/math2.jpg");) ![Welbeck Defence Sixth Form College (DSFC)](javascript:PopupPic("/academic/subjects/images/math3.jpg");) |
Course Structure
| Mathematics A Level | Exam Weighting | |||
| Unit | Description | Exam | Time | Weight |
| 6663 | Core 1 : NO CALCULATOR, algebra and functions (1), co-ordinate geometry (1), series (1), differentiation (1), integration (1) | May L6 Year | 90min | 16⅔ % |
| 6677 | Mechanics 1 : kinematics (1), dynamics (1), statics (1), vectors in mechanics, moments, mechanics models | May L6 Year | 90min | 16⅔ % |
| 6664 | Core 2 : algebra and functions (2), co-ordinate geometry (2), series (2), trigonometry (1), exponentials and logarithms (1), differentiation (2), integration (2) | Jan U6 Year | 90min | 16⅔ % |
| 6678 | Mechanics 2 : kinematics (2), work and energy (1), centre of mass (1), statics (2), collisions (1) | Jan U6 Year | 90min | 16⅔ % |
| 6665 | Core 3 : algebra and functions (3), trigonometry (2), exponentials and logarithms (2), differentiation (3), numerical methods (1) | Jun U6 Year | 90min | 16⅔ % |
| 6666 | Core 4 : algebra and functions (4), co-ordinate geometry (3), series (3), differentiation (4), vector geometry, integration (3) | Jun U6 Year | 90min | 16⅔ % |
| Further Mathematics AS Level | Exam Weighting | |||
| Unit | Description | Exam | Time | Weight |
| 6667 | Further Pure 1 : series (4), complex numbers (1), numerical methods (2), co-ordinate systems, matrix algebra, proof by induction | Jan U6 Year | 90min | 33⅓ % |
| 6668 | Further Pure 2 : inequalities, first order differential equations, second order differential equations, series (5), complex numbers (2) | Jun U6 Year | 90min | 33⅓ % |
| 6679 | Mechanics 3 : kinematics (3), elastic springs and strings, dynamics (2), statics (3) | Jun U6 Year | 90min | 33⅓ % |
Previous AS results
| Year | A | B | C | D | E | U | Students |
| 2010 | 72 | 38 | 27 | 15 | 8 | 4 | 164 |
| 2009 | 86 | 29 | 22 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 152 |
| 2008 | 98 | 26 | 31 | 11 | 3 | 2 | 171 |
| 2007 | 108 | 30 | 23 | 11 | 4 | 2 | 178 |
| 2006 | 75 | 23 | 21 | 12 | 9 | 4 | 144 |
| 2005 | 56 | 29 | 22 | 8 | 7 | 0 | 122 |
Previous A2 results
| Year | A* | A | B | C | D | E | U | Students |
| 2010 | 24 | 38 | 40 | 27 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 142 |
| 2009 | N/A | 97 | 37 | 14 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 158 |
| 2008 | N/A | 88 | 44 | 27 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 163 |
| 2007 | N/A | 58 | 30 | 28 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 130 |
| 2006 | N/A | 32 | 33 | 19 | 16 | 12 | 0 | 112 |
| 2005 | N/A | 20 | 24 | 15 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 75 |
Further Mathematics - A2 Results
| Year | A* | A | B | C | D | E | U | Students |
| 2010 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| 2009 | N/A | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 2008 | N/A | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 2007 | N/A | 4 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| 2006 | N/A | 5 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 19 |
| 2005 | N/A | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 9 |
Further Mathematics - AS Results
| Year | A | B | C | D | E | U | Students |
| 2010 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Departmental Staff
Mr Calland has been at the College since its move to Loughborough in 2005, having started his career at Loughborough Grammar School. He has a Mathematics degree from Loughborough University, an interest and a talent in many sports, and coaches the 1st XV rugby squad. He is also a Deputy House Master.
Ms Gourley is our latest recruit and will be joining us in September 2008 from her first teaching post in nearby Quorn. She has a Mathematics degree from Loughborough University, where she was also captain of the ladies football team.
Mr Hardern is the Head of the Faculty, and has a Mathematics degree from Leeds University. He has taught in four schools in the Midlands, and was appointed in 1990. He is an examiner for Edexcel (C4) and has an interest in many sports, coaching volleyball and cross country.
Mr Hubbard has been at the College since its move to Loughborough in 2005. He has a Mathematics degree from Manchester University, and has taught in several schools in London and the Midlands. He is an examiner for Edexcel (C2) and is one of our rugby coaches.
Dr Morgan has been at the College the longest, with a degree and a PHD in Mathematics from Loughborough University. He is keen on many sports, and is in charge of rowing.
Ms Simpkin has been at the College since its move to Loughborough in 2005. She has a Mathematics degree from Sheffield University, and has taught in several schools including one in Italy and one in Switzerland. She is keen on outdoor pursuits, particularly skiing and is one of the five Heads of House.
Mr Worrall has been at the College since its move to Loughborough in 2005. He has a Mathematics degree from Hull University, and has taught at several schools. He is keen on outdoor pursuits and many sports, including rugby, which he coaches.
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