What will I learn?
The work covered will be an extension of the work covered at Key Stage 3, including work on algebra, number, ratio and proportion, data handling and shape. There will be a lot more emphasis placed on the problem solving aspect of maths as well as methods of solution.
The Mathematics GCSE has undergone big curriculum change in the previous few years and like all other subjects it will be graded from 1 to 9. The highest awarded level 9 grade will allow the strongest students to really excel.
In the past few years there has been important changes to the Mathematics GCSE:
1) Additional content
This means that there will be extra content to cover, involving topics that have were previously not on the GCSE specification.
2) “Quality of Written Communication” will be assessed
This means that students are expected to show and explain their working.
3) Questions will have less “scaffolding.”
This means that students have to decide what to do and then do it.
4) Functionality.
Many questions will be set in real-life contexts, where students have to explain and show working as well as deciding what needs to be done.
What will I need?
All students are expected to bring pens, pencils, rulers and a scientific calculator to every maths’ lesson.
How will I be assessed?
The course is a linear course with three exams taken in May/June of Year 11. Each exam will be 1 hour 30 minutes in length, and consist of 2 calculator papers and one non calculator paper. Students can be entered at either Foundation or Higher tier.
There is no coursework in GCSE mathematics.
In addition to the mathematics GCSE we will be offering students, of high ability, the opportunity to study an extra qualification. The Level 2 certificate in Further Maths is equivalent to a GCSE qualification and is a course that prepares students for A-level with a strong emphasis on the algebraic skills required. It also introduces two new concepts in mathematics, calculus and matrices, both of which are very different areas to topics covered before. This course will provide an excellent platform from which students can go on to study both mathematics and Further Mathematics at A-level.
Where can this course lead after Key Stage 4?
Students who achieve a grade 6 or above, at Higher Tier, will be considered for AS and A-level Mathematics. Class teachers will also be consulted over a students’ suitability. Many of these students then go on to university studying a wide range of courses, including all medical courses, science and engineering courses, business and accountancy, etc. maths has now become an important component of some of the other A-level that students can study.
To find out more information:
Please speak to your maths teacher for further information or email Carl Atherton, Head of Maths catherton@wreake.bepschools.org
