Core Maths

Applications Open: - 14th November 2025

Applications Close: - 30th April 2026

Entry Requirements: -We cater to the individual needs of each student, creating a program of study that meets their unique requirements. We offer a wide range of Level 3 qualifications, including A levels, allowing students to combine their interests with relevant courses for their future pathways. Each subject has specific entry requirements in addition to those set out below, and all students must receive a positive reference and maintain an end-of-year attendance record of 95% or higher to be offered a place in The Marsh Academy Sixth Form.

It is important to understand that all students are expected to attain a minimum of GCSE grade 4 in Mathematics and English by the time they leave school or college. Therefore, if a student has not achieved these grades, they are legally required to retake these subjects until they achieve the grade 4 or above or until they complete their programme of study.

For students unable to undertake a full Level 3 program, we offer a combination of qualifications across Level 3 and Level 2, depending on the qualifications gained in Year 11.

For students who achieve:

7+ GCSEs at grade 7+ can study four Level 3 courses.

5+ GCSEs at grade 5+ can study three Level 3 courses.

4 +GCSEs at grade 5+ can study two Level 3 courses and two Level 2 courses.

Level 3 Vocational Courses

5+ GCSEs at grade 4+ in English and maths GCSE to study three Level 3 vocation courses However, it is important to note that some Level 3 courses will have specific requirements in addition to those set out here.

This year, subjects have not been placed into fixed option blocks. Instead, they have been grouped by subject area to allow students greater flexibility in selecting the courses that best suit their interests and future goals. Once we have received students’ subject choices, we will create option blocks based on demand and subject compatibility. It is important to note that while The Marsh Academy aims to offer all courses listed in the prospectus, we do reserve the right to withdraw any course that does not attract sufficient interest. This approach ensures that our curriculum remains responsive, student-focused, and sustainable.

The Marsh Academy reserves the right to review student course offers on an individual basis.

How to apply:

Students who wish to apply for a place at the Marsh Academy Sixth Form and are currently a student at another school or college in Kent or East Sussex, must apply via the Kent Choices website application process (www.kentprospectus.co.uk). External applicants must ensure that the application is completely correctly by completing all sections of the application form in full for the application to be considered:

If you are applying from outside of Kent and are unable to register for Kent Choices, please use the external student application form which is available on the Sixth Form page of the Marsh Academy website.

Once the application has been made, we will contact you to discuss your application and invite you for interview. After the interview, conditional offers will made pending examination results. We ensure that students are kept up do date with events regarding Sixth Form during the remainder of the academic year.

On GCSE result day, students should contact the Marsh Academy with a record of GCSE results so that courses can be confirmed or adapted in line with the achieved results. Students will then attend a registration day early in September to process the required documentation.

Mathematics in context is worth half an A Level and is designed for students to consolidate and build on students’ mathematical understanding and develop further mathematical understanding and skills in the application of mathematics to authentic problems. It has a wide focus that build a broader base of mathematical understanding and skills in order to support the mathematical content in other Level 3 qualifications and prepare students for the range of varied contexts that they are likely to encounter in vocational and academic study, future employment and life. The course can support the mathematical aspects of other subjects such as Psychology, Economics and finance, Sciences and Business.

The content of this qualification is drawn from a range of GCSE content areas predominantly: statistics, probability, algebra, and ratio, proportion and rates of change, together with 20% of content drawn from beyond and above GCSE content.

Students will study units of applications of statistics, probability, linear programming, sequences, and growth. The course is split into comprehension and the application of mathematics.

The course also allows students the opportunity to develop a wide range of skills such as:

• Non-routine problem solving – expert thinking, metacognition, creativity. Systems thinking – decision making and reasoning.

• Critical thinking – definitions of critical thinking are broad and usually involve general cognitive skills such as analysing, synthesising and reasoning skills.

• ICT literacy – access, manage, integrate, evaluate, construct and communicate

This course is examined with two external exams.

Paper 1: Comprehension – 40% of total qualification

Paper 2: Applications – 60% of total qualification

Students must achieve a minimum of 5 GCSEs grade 5 or above including Mathematics.

Due to the fact that this subject looks at mathematics in context, it will open a number of possible pathways for future development. The course will enhance the understanding of a range of other subjects such as build a broader base of mathematical understanding and skills in order to support the mathematical content in other Level 3 qualifications, for example GCE A Level Biology, Business Studies, Economics, Computing, Geography, Psychology, BTEC Applied Science, Business, Health and Social Care, IT.