Why Study Maths?

A Mathematics qualification beyond GCSE is always highly regarded by university admissions tutors and by employers. In fact there are some courses at university which require you to have Mathematics at AS or A2. We offer a wide variety of Mathematics courses:

  • AS and A2 Further Mathematics
  • AS and A2 Mathematics
  • AS use of Mathematics
  • GCSE Mathematics and Level 1/Level 2 Adult Numeracy
  • AS and A2 Statistics

AS Mathematics supports many other subjects but especially Physics and Computing.

You choose which applied modules to study as part of AS/A2 Mathematics. i.e. Statistics, Mechanics or Decision Mathematics.

The "problem solving" aspect of Mathematics is very satisfying especially when you turn to the back of the textbook and find you've got the right answer!

Your tutors are well qualified and committed to ensuring that you do well. There are regular workshops staffed by teachers where extra help is available.

Which Maths should I choose?
Statistics links with Economics, Business Studies, Biology, Geography, Journalism, Psychology, Medicine, Pharmacy, Law and Education.

Mechanics links with Engineering (Civil, Electronic, Aeronautical, Chemical), Architecture, Pilot Training, Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Pharmacy and Optometry.

Decision links with Business Studies, Accounting and IT.

Use of Maths is useful if you need Maths to support other subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, Electronics and Computing.

Further Maths is useful for careers in Maths, Engineering and Computer Science.

AS and A2 Statistics is useful if you want to develop the skills needed to work with data, but don’t want to do lots of traditional maths like algebra. AS and A2 Statistics links well with subjects like Biology, Business, Sociology and Pyschology.

Aim Higher
The Aim Higher Group meets once a week to explore various topics in Maths. We try to lead students to appreciate the power, elegance and application of Maths to everyday life. Each group has participated in a trip including:

  • Oxford University
  • Bletchley Park (The Enigma Machine)
  • Exeter University
  • The Met Office at Exeter
  • Maths Inspiration at Leeds Playhouse
  • Keele University
  • RAF Cosford
  • Landrover production plants, Solihull

We are the most northerly sixth form to visit the Met Office (by some distance) and flew there from Manchester Airport.

We also help to prepare students for STEP examinations (sometimes required by Cambridge University) and the Advanced Extension Award.

Oxford and Cambridge
In 2006 seven students from OSFC went on to study at Oxford or Cambridge. The common factor between these seven students - they had all studied A level Maths!!

The UK Senior Maths Challenge
This is open to any of our AS and A2 level Maths students.  It is designed to stimulate mental agility and mathematical reasoning and the paper consists of 25 puzzles with multiple choice answers. Gold, silver and bronze certificates are awarded to many participants, with the most successful being invited to the British Mathematical Olympiad.

OSFC Results 2006
(National averages for Sixth Form Colleges in brackets)

AS Maths 93% (78%)
High Grades A/B 46% (38%)
AS Use of Maths 89% (84%)
A2 Maths 97% (93%)
High Grades A/B 59% (52%)
A2 Further Maths 100% (93%)
High Grades A/B 86% (52%)