Latest News
Great Mathematicians do more that just GCSE and A-Level
It is to my shame that I used to think that the mathematics in the BTEC Engineering was A-level maths lite. However, after taking through the course very many successful and talented engineers I am firmly no longer of that opinion.
For example, all of the differentiation and integration techniques studied during A-level are used in the BTEC Engineering course ( except implicit differentiation which is a shame as it is one of my personal favourites ). But a big difference is that A-level students have until December of Year 13 to get their heads around both these vast areas, BTEC students will have used all the differentiation methods by the end of Year 12.
Towards the second half of Year 13, BTEC students will have seen techniques that are not even covered by the A-level mathematics course. Complex numbers, matrices, Maclaurin Series are only studied in the Further Maths A-level syllabus, for example.
This is not to say that the standards of mathematics needed for BTEC are impossible to achieve. The knowledge is not tested by an examination so support can always be found to clarify any understanding. However, to get the coveted distinction grade, every answer must be correct and you are not allowed to even get away with even a single algebraic or numerical error. Mastery is required of each technique which includes writing about what you are actually doing, a thought that will seem very foreign to many A-level students.
The students of NUAST have opened my eyes to the challenge and enjoyment of the BTEC engineering course. It provides a great foundation for an exciting career as can be seen by my ex-students who have gone off to university or to apprenticeships with Rolls Royce, Aerospace and Mercedes Formula 1 to name but a few.
A-Level Maths Teacher and BTEC supporter
- Great Mathematicians are also creative
Creative writing opportunity to showcase mathematics to the wider world (23/02/2024) - Great Mathematicians use maths everyday
Mr Williams explains all the "When will I use this Sir?" maths he used in his summer project (16/12/2023) - NUAST Maths department celebrates our Senior Maths Challenge results
Results from the UKMT Senior Maths Challenge (25/10/2023) - Great Mathematicians recognise the achievements of other Mathematicians'
Black History Month and is an opportunity to celebrate Mathematicians within the Black community (04/10/2023) - Where do all the Great Mathematicians go?
Some examples of the destinations of our recent A-level cohort (04/10/2023) - Great mathematicians using Sparx bookwork
How Sparx maths is developing students and improving their mathematics (20/09/2023) - Great mathematicians start out at NUAST
Feedback from our most recent SCITT trainee and Mentor (20/07/2023) - Great mathematicians are resilient
Last week students measured their progress so far... (19/06/2023) - NUAST Maths department celebrates our Junior Maths Challenge results
NUAST maths department congratulates our year 7 and 8 Junior Maths challenge participants. (31/05/2023) - Great Mathematicians do more that just GCSE and A-Level
BTEC Engineering – The Mathematics is harder than you think (20/05/2023)
- Yr12 Engineers Visit to Lincoln University
Yr12 Engineers Visit to Lincoln University (Engineering - 22/03/2024) - Great Mathematicians are also creative
Creative writing opportunity to showcase mathematics to the wider world (Maths - 23/02/2024) - Yr 8 Pewter Casting CAD
Designing for a client (Engineering - 18/01/2024) - Yr9 Ardunio circuits
Our learners using programable components as part of the KS3 NUAST curriculum. (Engineering - 18/01/2024) - Great Mathematicians use maths everyday
Mr Williams explains all the "When will I use this Sir?" maths he used in his summer project (Maths - 16/12/2023) - Yr 8 Pewter casting - completed projects
Amazing opportunities for all our Yr8 Engineering students at NUAST (Engineering - 16/11/2023) - Cross Country Success
10 Students have qualified for County Trials! (Physical Education - 15/11/2023) - Yr 8 Pewter casting
Amazing opportunities for all our Yr8 Engineering students at NUAST (Engineering - 06/11/2023) - NUAST Maths department celebrates our Senior Maths Challenge results
Results from the UKMT Senior Maths Challenge (Maths - 25/10/2023) - Yr12 putting the Lathe shop to good use.
Amazing opportunities for all our Engineering students at NUAST (Engineering - 18/10/2023)