A level Further Maths

[Strawberrycocktail]

Is Further Maths at A level normally timetabled separately from Maths A level (ie with its own number of hours of teaching time) or is it normally taught at the same time as Maths A level, hence intensifying the teaching time and requiring more independent work from pupils doing both A levels?

My DS is scoring a 9 in tests done for Maths his GCSE course and supposedly has a high IQ according to a test administered by his school a year or two ago. However, they are doubtful he should attempt further maths. They say even maths A level is a big step up from GCSE, never mind Further Maths. I am wondering though if he ought to be considering a move for sixth form to somewhere that devotes more teaching time to Further Maths! That would be a big decision to make though as DS is very happy in his current school.

I am a bit sceptical that there is a certain amount of filtering of applicants going on that is perhaps leading to a strong discouragement to ensure the safety of the school’s academic grades. It is quite an academic private school so keeping a good position in the league tables matters to them! They did get quite a spread of grades for further maths A level
last summer so I think they are a bit risk averse!

My DS wants to try and take it as a fourth A level and then have the option to drop it if it is too hard for him. He thinks the school may not let him start the A level course though.

My son had separate timetabled lessons for it.