QCA has produced a report: 'Offering further mathematics as part of the A level curriculum', which includes the following six case studies:

Example 1: School offering further mathematics in the second year of a double mathematics course

The school uses the Edexcel specification that has, as a prerequisite for the further pure 1 module, knowledge of the content of the pure modules from A level mathematics. The school offers an option of double mathematics to candidates joining the sixth form. In the first year all six modules of A level mathematics are studied in one and a half times the normal AS time. In the second year either three or six additional modules are studied for an AS or A level further mathematics qualification. The time allowed for the second year is equivalent to the time given to study the three modules of other A2 courses regardless of whether they will study three or six modules to complete either the AS further mathematics or the full A level.

The school expects the students to complete the full A level further mathematics at the end of the second year but will be flexible with individuals who may not need the full A level for entry to higher education or who have struggled to achieve the top grades in A level mathematics. Entry to this course is by interview in addition to having attained a grade A or A* at GCSE – the school sees this class as suitable for ‘natural mathematicians only’ owing to the reduced contact time available for it.

A concern about the low numbers of students opting to take further mathematics led the school to introduce this model three years ago. The teacher commented:
“We sell this as a ‘get an A level in one year’ course! We identify potential students lower down the school and encourage them to take the course… Because they are doing so much maths together they really gel as a group and few drop out at the end of year 1.”
Head of mathematics, 11–18 school

Occasionally, students from the AS mathematics class join the group in the second year but they are expected to have worked through C3 and C4 independently over the summer break to prepare them for the class. These students typically attain an AS further mathematics qualification at the end of the course.

Example 2: School offering further mathematics alongside A level mathematics

Example 3: Further education college offering further mathematics as a fully timetabled A level option

Example 4: Shared provision with other local institutions

Example 5: Shared provision with a local further mathematics centre

Example 6: Tuition entirely through a local further mathematics centre