Teacher Area - Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Further Mathematics is already taught in my school/college. Is there an expectation that Further Mathematics should now be taught through the Further Mathematics Support Programme?

Answer: A resounding NO! A major aim of the Further Mathematics Support Programme is that more Further Mathematics should be taught in school/college. The FMSP exists to promote and support the study of Mathematics and Further Mathematics. Where Further Mathematics is taught in a school/college, the FMSP will endeavour to support this (for example by providing Study/Revision Days, professional development for teachers or extra tuition) if the school/college wishes it to.

Wherever possible, for students in schools/colleges where FMis not currently taught, the FMSP will provide tuition and will also help the school/college to develop its own provision.

All schools/colleges that register with the FMSP qualify for free access to extensive online resources to support the teaching and learning of Further Mathematics, whether or not they have students receiving tuition through the FMSP.

The new design of AS Further Mathematics should mean that all schools and colleges can increase their Further Mathematics student numbers. We believe that at least 25% of A-Level Mathematics students should also take a Further Mathematics qualification. Your local FMSP Area Coordintor can help you to promote Further Mathematics to your students.

A school/college that already offers Further Mathematics may wish to work with the FMSP to make its Further Mathematics classes available to students from other nearby school/colleges.

It is in the interest of every school/college that teaches A-Level Mathematics to register with the FMSP, whether or not they are currently offering Further Mathematics.

Question: Is it possible to complete an AS-level in Further Mathematics in year 12?

Answer: YES! The awarding bodies have revised their AS-level Further Mathematics specifications to remove dependencies on the A2 aspects of the standard A-level Mathematics. Students can study and complete three modules and be awarded AS-level Further Mathematics in year 12, along side their standard AS-level Mathematics.

Note: It is possible for students to take an AS/A-level Further Mathematics award with one awarding body whilst taking their standard A-level Mathematics with another awarding body. Please contact Tom Button (tombutton@furthermaths.org.uk) if you need any more details.

Question: Can students take their standard A-level Mathematics with one awarding body and their AS/A-level Further Mathematics with a different awarding body?

Answer: Yes. It is possible for students to take an AS/A-level Further Mathematics award with one awarding body whilst taking their standard A-level Mathematics with another awarding body. Please contact Tom Button (tombutton@furthermaths.org.uk) if you need any more details.

Question: Is it true that Further Mathematics is only for “most able” students?

Answer: NO! Further Mathematics is of enormous benefit to all students who intend to pursue a degree course with mathematical content. Following the recent changes to the structure of AS-level Further Mathematics it is now much more accessible. We believe that at least 25% of A-Level Mathematics students should also take a Further Mathematics qualification. Any student going on to study a mathematics-related degree would be much better prepared having studied Further Mathematics (at least to AS-level). In particular, any student who has not studied Further Mathematics in year 12 and is applying for a mathematics-related degree (Engineering, Sciences, Economics, etc. as well as Mathematics) should seriously consider studying for an AS-level Further Mathematics in year 13. Studying Further Mathematics also generally improves students’ performance in their standard A-level Mathematics.

Question: How do School Sixth Forms obtain their funding from DfE and how will this affect the funding of Further Maths tuition through the Further Mathematics Support Programme?

Answer: Schools claim funding for Further Mathematics qualifications studied through the FMSP in exactly the same way as for any other AS/A2 qualification. The DfE supports the provision of FM through the FMSP and for schools to claim the qualification funding via school census returns. Schools may use funding to pay the FMSP for tuition and support.

Further reference to the YPLA publication below is strongly recommended:
Funding Guidance 2011/12 Rates and Formula

Question: How do Colleges obtain their funding from DfE and how will this affect the funding of Further Maths tuition through the Further Mathematics Support Programme?

Answer: Colleges claim funding for Further Mathematics qualifications studied through the FMSP in exactly the same way as for any other AS/A2 qualification. The DfE supports the provision of FM through the FMSP and to claim the qualification funding on their standard funding returns. Colleges may use funding to pay the FMSP for tuition and support.

Further reference to the YPLA Publication below is strongly recommended:
Funding Guidance 2011/12 Rates and Formula

Question: If a student studies through the Further Mathematics Support Programme how are his/her Further Mathematics qualifications recorded on League Tables?

Answer: The results of qualifications achieved through the FMSP are recorded against the student’s own school or college.

Question: How did students perform in the pilot?

Answer: The results from 2004 and 2005 are available:
2004 results from the pilot
2005 results from the pilot

Question: What is the Further Mathematics Support Programme's policy on independent schools?

Answer: All schools and colleges, state or independent, are treated in exactly the same way by the FMSP for registration and tuition purposes. Registration with the FMSP is free for all schools, regardless of their status. If an independent school needs tuition they will be charged in the same way as other schools and colleges.

Question: How can an institution become involved with the Further Mathematics Support Programme?

Answer:

There are several ways in which this can happen:

1. Registration
All schools and colleges are encouraged to register with the FMSP. The FMSP can provide information, resources and support to all schools/colleges, even those that are already successfully providing Further Mathematics ‘in house’.

To register the school/college completes a simple form providing:
• Contact details
• Numbers of students currently taking AS/A2 Mathematics and AS/A2 Further Maths
• Level of tuition/support required(if any)

In return the school/college will receive:
• Information on regional events organised by the FMSP (study and revision days, CPD, enrichment events, etc)
• A free username and password for staff to access the MEI on-line resources (excluding modules C1-C4)*

Registration is free to both state and independent schools.

* Schools/colleges may purchase full access to all MEI on-line resources, for use by both tutors and students.
Subscribing to MEI on-line resources

2. Receiving Tuition
If requested, the FMSP will look at ways in which it can provide Further Mathematics tuition to students studying at a school/college that is unable to offer Further Mathematics in house, or where timetable clashes prevent a student from taking Further Mathematics. The FMSP may also be able to provide the opportunity for a student to take a particular module that their school/college is not running.

3. Providing support and tuition
The FMSP welcomes offers from schools/colleges already providing Further Mathematics that would be willing to work with the FMSP, and perhaps open up their lessons to other nearby schools/colleges.

4. Developing links
The FMSP is also keen to develop links with local universities, local authorities, and local employers.

Please contact your local FMSP Area Coordinator via the map in the left hand menu bar if you would like to become involved in any of these ways.

Question: Does the Further Mathematics Support Programme provide any assistance to students preparing for Mathematics AEA and Step Papers?

Answer: If you would like help with STEP or AEA preparation please contact your local FMSP Area Coordinator, who will let you know how you can access appropriate support.

Question: How does the A* in A level Mathematics and Further Mathematics operate?

Answer: These are the key points:

1) A* was introduced for awards in 2010 (i.e. in most cases for those students starting their AS studies in September 2008).

2) In A level Mathematics, students need to have grade A overall and an average of 90 or more uniform marks across C3 and C4 to get A* (i.e. a total of 180 marks or more for C3 and C4 combined - the uniform mark score (UMS) is the score that appears on their module certificates).

3) A* in A level Further Mathematics requires an A overall and an average of 90 or more uniform marks across three A2 units (i.e. a total of 270 UMS or more for three A2 units - this is like all other A level subjects; the A* for A level Mathematics is different because it only requires two A2 units, C3 and C4).