All pupils who may in due course do A-Level or university work in any science or social science subject should take Mathematics beyond the level reached in the Fifth classes; so, in many circumstances, should those who may wish to gain university entrance on the basis of Highers, whatever their field. 

Some more able pupils are bored by undemanding GCSE mathematics and may be surprised and stimulated by the step up to more advanced work; the cumulative nature of the subject does, however, militate against miraculous transformation at this late stage of one's education.

The Higher course is intended to provide facility with the basic algebraic and calculus techniques required by someone pursuing any subject with a mathematical component.  The application of these techniques to the solution of problems in a range of contexts is emphasised.

A. Coordinate geometry of the straight line & circle.
B. Vectors.
C. Functions and their graphs.
D. Quadratic functions and equations.
E. Polynomials and the remainder theorem.
F. Elementary differential calculus.
G. Elementary integral calculus.
H. Sequences: growth and decay.
1. Logarithms and exponentials.
J. Trigonometry incl. relationships, equations, graphs & compound angle formulae.
K. Wave functions.

The work will be divided into three Units, each of which will be formally assessed.  Failure to perform adequately in these internal tests should be construed as indicating very limited potential for further progress and should prompt consideration of your levels of effort and commitment. Those who fail two Unit Tests on the Higher course, will have their presentation for Higher reviewed and may, instead, be entered at the lower level of Intermediate 2.

The work of each Unit is divided into four outcomes and it is mandatory, for certification, that a candidate demonstrate competence in all outcomes, by achieving specified thresholds in the internal tests.  Resits are permitted where one or more of these thresholds are not reached.

The final examination consists of:

1. a 1 hour 10 minute paper, in which a calculator may not be used (50 marks).
2. a 1 hour 30 minute paper (70 marks).

Both papers will contain a balance of short questions, designed mainly to test knowledge and understanding, and extended-response questions which also test problem solving skills. The first paper contains a multiple choice section.

Any candidate who may possibly continue the subject to A-Level in the Seventh Year must advise us of this in January of the Sixths.  They will be entered for the first two modules of the A-Level course at the same time as taking Higher Mathematics.  Two Pure Mathematics and two Mechanics Units will then remain to be addressed in the 7th year.

The A-Level conversion course in the post-Higher period becomes an absolute commitment for those continuing as this will be used to deal with the A-Level coursework element.