Fivemiletown College
Mathematics
Aims of the Mathematics Department
To stimulate, develop and maintain students' curiosity,
interest and enjoyment in mathematics and their
financial capabilities.
To develop students' thinking, reasoning, and
communication capabilities through familiarity with
mathematical concepts and principles.
To help students use mathematics as a tool for
investigating the world around us.
To encourage students to develop personal qualities
such as initiative, imagination, flexibility, perseverance
and politeness.
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To enable all students to have equal access to all available mathematical resources and experience success in their work.
To enable students to make informed decisions, being
able to support them by reasonable arguments and logical thinking.
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Key Stage 3
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In Key Stage 3 we offer a rich and varied programme in mathematics in line with the Revised Curriculum for Northern Ireland. We aim to provide our students with the tools to reason, problem solve and think in abstract ways.
​Students follow the same curriculum with lessons appropriately differentiated. Students cover the full Key Stage 3 curriculum covering Number, Shape and Space, Data Handling, Algebra and Measures. Lessons are varied and feature activities, problem solving tasks and small group work. Regular assessments occur throughout the year with a formal summer examination at the end of each year.
GCSE
This specification builds on the learning experiences from Key Stage 3 as required for the statutory Northern Ireland Curriculum. It also offers opportunities for you to contribute to the aim and objectives of the Curriculum at Key Stage 4, and to continue to develop the Cross-Curricular Skills and the Thinking Skills and Personal Capabilities.
This specification has two tiers:
Foundation and Higher
Each tier offers a choice of units that are suited to a wide range of abilities and enable you to demonstrate achievement.
The assessment model enables you to monitor your progress and offers opportunities to improve your results.
Each assessment unit gives you enough time to consider different problem-solving strategies and decide on the best approach to take.
You must use calculators in assessment units M1, M2, M3 and M4 and in Paper 2 of each Completion Test (M5, M6, M7 and M8). You must not use calculators in Paper 1 of each Completion Test. Calculators should have the following functions: +, -, x, ÷ , √, xy and single memory. These are the minimum functions required.
For the Higher Tier papers, you must use electronic calculators with trigonometric and relevant statistical functions. For the Foundation Tier papers, you must use electronic calculators with relevant statistical functions.
Just about everything! People with mathematics degrees and other qualifications can go into: accounting, medicine, engineering, forensic pathology, finance, business, consultancy, teaching, IT, games development, scientific research, programming, the civil service, design, construction, astrophysics and many other careers.
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How Will I Be Assessed?
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FOUNDATION TIER: GRADES C*– F WILL BE ASSESSED
Unit M1 or M2: Foundation Tier
External written examination with calculator 1 hour 45 mins - 45%
Unit M5 or M6: Foundation Tier Completion Test
Two external written examinations:
Paper 1 without calculator 1 hour
Paper 2 with calculator 1 hour - 55%
HIGHER TIER: GRADES A*– C WILL BE ASSESSED
Unit M3 or M4: Higher Tier
External written examination with calculator 2 hours - 45%
Unit M7 or M8: Higher Tier Completion Test
Two external written examinations
Paper 1 without calculator 1 hour 15 mins
Paper 2 with calculator 1 hour 15 mins - 55%
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GCSE Further Mathematics
WHY STUDY FURTHER MATHEMATICS?
The optional units in this specification give you choice. You will use real-life scenarios to help you see the how further mathematics is relevant to other subject areas, the world of work and to wider society.
The new specification offers a broad range of different branches of mathematics to help you to progress to advanced, further, or higher education and beyond into lifelong learning.
UNIQUE FEATURES OF THIS QUALIFICATION?
The GCSE Further Mathematics specification goes beyond the level of challenge posed by the GCSE 9 to 1 mathematics qualifications in England and our revised GCSE Mathematics (Higher Tier).
There are no revised UK GCSE specifications comparable to this one. This specification challenges you, stretches you and helps you make connections between different concepts in mathematics.
WHAT WILL I STUDY?
Unit 1: Pure Mathematics
In this unit, you investigate algebra, trigonometry, differentiation, integration, logarithms, matrices, and quadratic inequalities. This unit is mandatory. It is assessed in a 2-hour written examination worth 50% of the overall qualification.
Unit 2: Mechanics
In this unit, you explore kinematics, vectors, forces, moments, and Newton’s Laws of Motion. This is an optional unit assessed in a 1 hour written examination worth 25% of the overall qualification.
Unit 3: Statistics
In this unit, you understand and use statistical terminology, measures of central tendency and dispersion, binomial and normal distributions, probability, and bivariate analysis.
This is an optional unit, assessed in a 1 hour written examination worth 25% of the overall qualification.
Unit 4: Discrete and Decision Mathematics
In this unit, you study counting, logic, linear programming, time series and critical path analysis.
This is an optional unit assessed in a 1 hour written examination worth 25% of the overall qualification.
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A Level
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Why Study A Level Mathematics?
To extend students range of mathematical skills, techniques and mathematical processes in a way that promotes confidence, fosters enjoyment, and provides a strong foundation for progress to further study.
Entry requirements- GCSE Mathematics Grade B or above at higher tier
Syllabus Used NI CCEA
Students can take:
the AS course as a final qualification; or
the AS units plus the A2 units for a full GCE A level qualification. We assess the AS units at a standard appropriate for students who have completed the first part of the full course. A2 units have an element of synoptic assessment (to assess students’ understanding of the subject as a whole), as well as more emphasis on assessment objectives that reflect higher order thinking skills.
The full Advanced GCE award is based on students’ marks from the AS (40 percent) and the A2 (60 percent). The guided learning hours for this specification, as for all GCEs, are:
180 hours for the Advanced Subsidiary level award; and
360 hours for the Advanced level award.
As-Level Modules
Unit 1 Pure mathematics
Unit 2 Applied Mathematics
A2-Level Modules
Unit 1 Pure mathematics
Unit 2 Applied Mathematics
Employment Prospects
“Most areas of business and industry rely heavily on people with good mathematical knowledge”
“…you will almost certainly find that a maths degree will be highly regarded by most employers and will certainly have taught you to think rationally and process information clearly and accurately - skills which are useful in any career.”
A degree in Mathematics is a gateway to a wide variety of challenging careers.
University of Aberdeen
A wide range of career paths are available to Mathematics graduates. The skills of logical thinking, analysis and problem solving are prized by employers.
University of Edinburgh
Mathematics graduates are in great demand and have a wide range of employment prospects. Mathematicians are logical, numerate, have careful analytical skills and are confident in handling formula and large data sets. These are in short supply in many key areas of industry and finance.
Royal Holloway University London
Make your career add up with maths!
Air Traffic Controller Accountant
Statistician Civil Engineer
Insurance Underwriter Tax Inspector
Computer System Analyst Architect
Stock Controller Quantity Surveyor
Financial Adviser Actuary
Law Costs Draftsperson Pensions Manager
Commodity Trader Bank Cashier
Invoice Clerk Mechanical Engineer
