A-Level Mathematics Scheme of Work

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Years 12–13 · A-Level Mathematics · Two-year linear course · Pure, Statistics & Mechanics · Aligned to Edexcel, AQA, OCR & OCR MEI

This free A-Level Mathematics scheme of work is a complete two-year linear plan for Year 12 (AS) and Year 13 (A2). It is written for Heads of Sixth Form Mathematics and classroom teachers who need a coherent medium-term plan that sequences Pure, Statistics and Mechanics in a workable parallel order — with explicit attention to algebraic fluency, problem solving, modelling and proof in line with the Department for Education’s overarching themes.

The scheme is aligned to the linear A-Level Mathematics specifications for Edexcel, AQA, OCR (A) and OCR MEI. Every topic links to a dedicated teaching page; members get the full teaching package — interactive lesson, exam-style worksheet and worked solutions — so departments can resource a full A-Level Mathematics course without rebuilding from scratch.

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A-Level Mathematics scheme at a glance

The scheme is organised by strand (Pure, Statistics, Mechanics) across two years. Read across a row for the within-strand progression from Year 12 to Year 13; read down a column for the parallel content covered in that year.

Who is this scheme for?

The A-Level Mathematics scheme of work is built for UK sixth form mathematics departments, sixth form colleges and international British-curriculum schools delivering the linear A-Level Mathematics qualification across Years 12 and 13.

• Heads of A-Level Mathematics writing a two-year MTP across Pure, Statistics and Mechanics with a coherent backbone that supports co-teaching across multiple class teachers.
• Classroom teachers of Year 12 or Year 13 A-Level Mathematics who want ready-made lesson presentations, exam-style worksheets and worked solutions for every topic.
• Early career and trainee teachers moving from KS3/GCSE delivery into A-Level Mathematics, particularly for Mechanics and Statistics.
• Heads of Sixth Form / progression leads who want a clear A-Level Mathematics route that supports university progression (engineering, sciences, economics, medicine pre-requisites).
• Independent tutors and home educators preparing students for linear A-Level Mathematics with a structured route they can follow week by week.

What’s included

A complete medium-term plan for two years of A-Level Mathematics (Years 12 and 13), covering Pure, Statistics and Mechanics:

• Year-by-year strand breakdown for Pure, Statistics and Mechanics across Year 12 (AS) and Year 13 (A2).
• Pure coverage — algebraic methods, quadratics, equations and inequalities, graphs and transformations, coordinate geometry, binomial expansion, trigonometric ratios and identities, vectors, exponentials and logarithms, differentiation, integration, sequences and series, radians, trigonometric functions and modelling, parametric equations, numerical methods.
• Statistics coverage — data collection and sampling, measures of location and spread, representations of data and correlation, probability and conditional probability, statistical distributions, hypothesis testing, regression and the normal distribution.
• Mechanics coverage — modelling in mechanics, constant and variable acceleration, forces and motion, moments, forces and friction, projectile motion and further kinematics.
• Direct links to every topic page — teaching overview, prerequisites, key concepts and common misconceptions.
• Member access to interactive lesson presentations, exam-style worksheets and detailed worked solutions for every topic.

How to use this scheme

Most departments deliver A-Level Mathematics with parallel timetable allocation — for example, 5 Pure lessons + 2 Statistics + 2 Mechanics per fortnight in Year 12, then 4 Pure + 3 Statistics + 3 Mechanics in Year 13. The strand-based scheme is designed to fit this model: Pure is paced to lead, with Statistics and Mechanics running alongside.

The recommended Year 12 Pure sequence builds algebraic fluency early (indices, quadratics, equations and inequalities) before moving into coordinate geometry, trigonometry, vectors and the calculus introduction. Year 13 Pure then extends to functions, sequences and series, radians, parametric equations and further calculus, before consolidating numerical methods and 3-D vectors. Reorder, combine or accelerate within the year to match your timetable; the scheme is a backbone, not a straitjacket.

Use retrieval starters at the start of every lesson and end-of-topic exam-style problem sets to consolidate. Pair the topic pages with low-stakes weekly quizzes to track Year 12 progress towards mock exam windows.

Curriculum rationale

The two-year linear A-Level is examined entirely at the end of Year 13. The scheme is designed so Year 12 (AS) secures all foundational Pure technique and introduces Statistics and Mechanics within a coherent modelling framework, while Year 13 (A2) builds the harder, more abstract content and pulls together synoptic problem-solving across all three strands.

• Year 12 (AS) Pure — secures core algebra, quadratics, graphs and transformations, coordinate geometry, algebraic methods (proof and division), binomial expansion, trigonometry, vectors, differentiation, integration and exponentials/logs.
• Year 12 Applied — data collection, location and spread, representations and correlation, probability, statistical distributions and hypothesis testing in Statistics; modelling, constant acceleration, forces and motion, and variable acceleration in Mechanics.
• Year 13 (A2) Pure — extended algebraic methods, functions and graphs, sequences and series, binomial expansion of fractional powers, radians, trigonometric functions and modelling, parametric equations, differentiation (chain/product/quotient/implicit), numerical methods, integration techniques and 3-D vectors.
• Year 13 Applied — regression and hypothesis testing, conditional probability and the normal distribution in Statistics; moments, forces and friction, projectile motion and further kinematics in Mechanics.

Students taking A-Level Further Mathematics can be co-taught alongside this scheme. Strong GCSE Higher candidates moving up to A-Level should use the bridging window at the end of GCSE Higher.

Related schemes of work

Frequently asked questions

Which A-Level Mathematics specification is this scheme aligned to?

The topic list, sequence and worked-solution style are aligned to the Edexcel A-Level Mathematics (9MA0) specification, which is the most widely-used in the UK. Almost all topics map directly to the AQA (7357), OCR (A) (H240) and OCR MEI (H640) specifications because the DfE-approved Mathematics core is shared across all boards. Departments using AQA, OCR (A) or OCR MEI may need to adjust the running order slightly (e.g. earlier introduction of differentiation, or different placement of vectors) but no content gaps should arise.

Should Pure, Statistics and Mechanics be taught in parallel or in blocks?

The scheme is designed for parallel teaching, which mirrors how most UK sixth forms timetable A-Level Mathematics. Pure is usually allocated more lessons per fortnight (e.g. 5 of 9), with Statistics and Mechanics each receiving 2. Within each strand, topics are ordered so prerequisites are met (e.g. probability before statistical distributions; constant acceleration before forces and motion). Some departments deliver Mechanics as discrete blocks within each half-term — this works too, provided the prerequisite Pure has been covered first.

How long does each topic take to teach?

Most A-Level Pure topics in this scheme run for 2–3 weeks (around 8–12 lessons), with longer time on high-leverage early Pure topics (quadratics, algebraic methods, differentiation, integration). Statistics and Mechanics topics typically run for 2–3 weeks each at a slower pace because they are timetabled less frequently. Plan time within Year 12 Spring/Summer for mock exam windows and synoptic problem-solving.

Is AS Mathematics still available as a separate qualification?

Yes — AS Mathematics is a standalone qualification in England, although it does not contribute to the linear A-Level grade. The Year 12 (AS) content in this scheme is therefore also valid for centres entering students for AS Mathematics at the end of Year 12. Centres entering students for AS only should consult the relevant specification for the precise content list.

Can students take A-Level Further Mathematics alongside this scheme?

Yes. A-Level Further Mathematics is designed to be co-taught alongside A-Level Mathematics; this scheme provides the standard A-Level Mathematics content, and the Further scheme provides the additional Core Pure, Further Statistics and Further Pure content that completes the Further Mathematics qualification.

What’s included for free, and what needs membership?

The scheme of work — every topic link, curriculum rationale and the Year 12/Year 13 strand structure — is free for all teachers to use. Each topic page is free to read for its teaching overview, prerequisites, key concepts and common misconceptions. Mr Mathematics membership unlocks the full classroom package per topic: interactive lesson presentations, exam-style worksheets and detailed worked solutions.