the Further Mathematics network

Welcome to fmnetwork.org.uk

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 Network?

Answer: A resounding NO! A major aim of the Further Mathematics Network is that more Further Mathematics should be taught in school/college. The Further Mathematics Network exists to promote and support the study of Mathematics and Further Mathematics. Where Further Mathematics is taught in a school/college, the Further Mathematics Network will endeavour to support this (for example by providing Study/Revision Days or providing extra tuition) if the school/college wishes it to. Wherever possible, for students in schools/colleges where it is not currently taught the Further Mathematics Network will provide tuition and will also help the school/college to develop its own provision.

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

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 FM Centre will help you to promote Further Mathematics to your students.

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

It is in the interest of every school/college that teaches A-Level Mathematics to register with its local Further Mathematics Centre, 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 us for specific 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 Charlie Stripp (charlie.stripp@fmnetwork.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 LSC and how will this affect the funding of Further Maths tuition through the FM Network?

Answer: Schools claim funding for Further Mathematics qualifications studied through the FM Network in exactly the same way as for any other AS/A2 qualification. The LSC supports the provision of FM through the FM Network and is happy for schools and colleges to claim the qualification funding on their September Pupil Count. Schools may use LSC funding to pay their local FM Centre for tuition and support.

An outline explanation of how the LSC funds School Sixth Forms :

For the academic year 2007/08 schools were allocated funding based on their 2006 September Pupil Count (SPC). The funding allocation was notified to schools in January 2007, taking into account the number of students at the time of the SPC and the quantity and type of subjects studied. Schools were allocated £837 per student to cover key skills, tutorial support and enrichment activities, in addition to the national base rate of £875 for each AS/A2 qualification.

Although a maximum of five qualifications can be claimed for an individual student there is also an overall financial cap applied to a school's funding. This is equivalent to an average of 4.25 AS/A2 qualifications per student per year applied as an average across the whole sixth form, before the addition of per pupil entitlement funding.

This is a very basic explanation and does not take into account other elements of the funding formula such as the Real Terms Guarantee, programme weighting, retention, achievement, disadvantage and area costs that will affect funding allocations. Further reference to the LSC Publications below is strongly recommended:
School Sixth Form Funding Guidance 2006/07 and 2007/08
Update to funding guidance Aug 07
Priorities for Success

Question: How do Colleges obtain their funding from LSC and how will this affect the funding of Further Maths tuition through the FM Network?

Answer: Colleges claim funding for Further Mathematics qualifications studied through the FM Network in exactly the same way as for any other AS/A2 qualification. The LSC supports the provision of FM through the FM Network and is happy for colleges to claim the qualification funding on their standard LSC funding returns. Colleges may use LSC funding to pay their local FM Centre for tuition and support. Further reference to the LSC Publications below is strongly recommended:
Funding Guidance for Further Education in 2007/08

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

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

Question: How did students perfom 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 Maths Network policy on independent schools?

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

Question: How can an institution become involved with a Further Mathematics Centre?

Answer:

There are several ways in which this can happen:

1. Registration
All schools and colleges are encouraged to register with a regional Further Mathematics Centre of its choice. The FM Centre can provide information, resources and support to all schools/colleges even if it is 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 from the FM Centre (if any)

In return the school/college will receive:
• Information on events organised by the FM Centre (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 FM Centre will look at ways in which it can provide Further Mathematics tuition to a school/college that is unable to offer Further Mathematics in house, or where timetable clashes prevent a student from taking Further Mathematics. The FM Centre 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
FM Centres welcome offers from schools/colleges already providing Further Mathematics that would be willing to work with the FM Centre, and perhaps open up their lessons to other nearby schools/colleges.

4. Developing links
FM Centres are also keen to develop links with local universities, local authorities, and local employers.

Please contact the Manager of your regional FM Centre if you would like to become involved in any of these ways.
Details of Further Mathematics Centres

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

Answer: Several Further Mathematics Centres have provided informal support sessions for Mathematics STEP and AEA. This is something that the Further Mathematics Network is seeking to expand. If you would like help with STEP or AEA preparation please contact your local Further Mathematics Centre Manager. If they are unable to provide direct help, they may well be able to put you in touch with someone within the Further Mathematics Network who is able to provide support.

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

Answer: These are the key points:

1) A* will be 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 will 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).