Overview

Please note that this course was originally scheduled to commence on 11 January 2024. The first online session will now take place on 18 January 2024.

Teaching Further Mathematics 1 (TFM1) is an extended professional development course for teachers wishing to develop their own subject knowledge and classroom practice in teaching A level Further Mathematics. It covers at least the pure material common to all AS level Further Mathematics specifications. 

TFM1 consists of:

• 11 live online tutorials
• Two compulsory study days
• Reference texts to support your studies
• Access to course-specific teaching and learning resources on Integral (MEI’s learning platform)
• Email support from a tutor and access to an online group forum

Towards the end of the course a short assignment is issued, for which support and guidance are provided. Course certificates will be available for those participants completing the assignment.

Following completion of this course, participants will be eligible to study TFM2, which includes the remaining pure content common to all A level Further Mathematics specifications.

Aims

• Gain a deep understanding of A level Further Mathematics.
• Develop confidence and skills to teach A level Further Mathematics, focusing on subject knowledge and effective pedagogy.
• Provide opportunities for mathematical thinking, explore connections, and identify misunderstandings.

Who will benefit from attending?

TFM1 is designed for teachers who are currently teaching AS or A level Further Mathematics or who wish to teach it at some point in the near future. 

Our extended courses enable teachers to broaden and deepen their subject, pedagogical and pedagogical content knowledge. This makes teachers better equipped to make links between topics, address students’ misconceptions and confidently challenge learners at all attainment levels. Our course aims and intended outcomes are consistent with the principles set out in the Education Inspection Framework.

Content

TFM1 covers the content across all AS level Further Mathematics specifications. This means there will be coverage of AS level topics and, depending on your awarding body, some coverage of A level topics.

Live online sessions take place on Thursdays (16:30 to 17:45); these are recorded and available for playback.

Thu 18 Jan:  Course introduction
Thu 25 Jan:  Matrices 1
Thu 8 Feb:  Complex numbers 1
Thu 29 Feb:  Roots of polynomials
Thu 14 Mar:  Series and induction
Thu 28 Mar:  Vectors
Thu 25 Apr:  Matrices 2
Thu 9 May:  Maclaurin series
Thu 23 May:  Complex numbers 2
Thu 13 Jun:  Further calculus
Thu 27 Jun:  Hyperbolic functions

At the two course study days these topics will be explored further, with a greater emphasis on pedagogy. There will also be opportunities to consider how the use of technology can support teaching and learning. Please see the study schedule section below for further information.

Materials and equipment

A computer with a reliable internet connection will be required to attend the online tutorials. In addition, a headset with a microphone is suggested to get the best experience.

Cost

This course is free of charge to teachers working in state-funded schools and colleges in England. For others the course fee is £300.

Schools and colleges located in areas targeted for additional support (TSMAs) will receive a subsidy payment of £200 for each study day attended.

Study schedule

Study days

Study days are face-to-face events that take place from 10:00 to 16:00, with lunch and refreshments provided. Attendance at both days is expected.

Applicants will be asked to select their order of preference from the following options:

It may be possible to switch between groups once the course has started, subject to capacity. 

Please note that although it is our intention to run these study days face-to-face, all events are subject to government restrictions and may be moved online if required. We therefore advise against making non-cancellable travel arrangements.

FAQs

There is no requirement that applicants have taught A level Mathematics before enrolling on TFM1 however, much of the pure content of A level Mathematics is assumed knowledge. The Teaching A Level Mathematics (TAM) course is highly recommended for teachers looking for support with teaching A level Mathematics.

It is difficult to be specific as this will depend on previous experience. In the past, participants have reported spending between one and four hours studying each week. We appreciate that most teachers have workloads that make regular study difficult, so the course is designed with flexibility in mind. We do ask that you have caught up with recordings of any missed sessions prior to attending study days.

It is not our usual policy to allow teachers to enrol on more than one extended course (TAM, TFM, TM, TS, TD) at the same time. Please contact us before making multiple course applications.

The end of course assignment is the only work that delegates hand in. To receive a certificate you will need to submit and pass the assignment. Certification is optional but we strongly encourage you to submit an assignment anyway to help you consolidate what you have learnt. In the past most teachers have chosen to submit an assignment.

We vary face-to-face study day locations. Recently study day locations have included London, Coventry, Manchester and Leeds.

Participant feedback

Thanks for a great course, I have learnt a lot and am looking forward to trying some of the ideas out this year.

Genuinely been so impressed with TFM1&2 and have loved taking part. My teaching is heaps better for it.

Actually made me think about how to deliver a subject rather than just teach from the book.

The course was fantastic and I have used so many of the resources.

...it was nice to spend a day on maths with like-minded people.

Key facts

• Reference:#12331
• Audience:Teachers
• Curriculum focus:A level Further Mathematics
• Mathematical focus:Pure
• Format:Blended
• Duration:6 months
• Study days:2
• Online sessions:11
• Region:National
• Fee:Free for state-funded schools; £300 otherwise
• TSMA subsidy:2 x £200