In GCSE Mathematics, students will continue to develop the skills and knowledge they have gained in Key Stage 3. The topic areas build on the foundations secured in number, algebra, ratio, proportion and rates of change, geometry and measures, probability and statistics.
The aims and objectives of the Mathematics qualification is to enable students to:
- develop fluent knowledge, skills and understanding of mathematical methods and concepts
- acquire, select and apply mathematical techniques to solve problems
- reason mathematically, make deductions and inferences, and draw conclusions
- comprehend, interpret and communicate mathematical information in a variety of forms appropriate to the information and context.
We would like to encourage all of our students to use the specific website https://sparxmaths.uk to assist them in their learning. It contains tutorials on specific mathematics topics that can come up in the examinations with personalised questions for students to attempt. This website is ideal for revision as well as for those students who want to get ahead in Mathematics and accelerate their progress.
Students need to bring the correct equipment to each Mathematics lesson, including a ruler, protractor, compass and a scientific calculator. If purchasing a new calculator, we recommend at foundation level the Casio fx-85GT plus and at higher level the Casio Classwiz.
Assessment
Mathematics will be offered at Higher or Foundation Level.
The qualification is assessed through 3 equally weighted exams at the end of Year 11. This consists of 1 non calculator paper and 2 calculator papers. All exams are for 1 hour and 30 minutes. We look to regularly assess students internally through key pieces of work and tests on the various modules that form the scheme of work. Students are in roughly equivalent ability sets and the assessments are used to monitor and track students’ progress. In year 11 in particular, we additionally use past papers and practice papers in order to help prepare the students for their final examinations.
Progression to Post 16
The faculty offers Mathematics and Further Mathematics at A Level as well as Level 3 Core Mathematics.