Supporting progress and success in Maths
and English
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To present parents with an overview of GCSE
Maths and GCSE English Language and Literature.
To provide parents with a range of practical
strategies to help your sons and daughters
succeed for GCSE Maths and GCSE English
Language and Literature.
To familiarise parents with the key resources
required to succeed in GCSE Maths and GCSE
English Language and Literature.
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Grades and Progress
◦ Success is not just about the final outcome, but
how hard you work to get there.
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Targets
◦ Set based on prior outcomes
◦ Targets are not limits
◦ Aspirational to encourage the best from everyone
Students and teachers share the
responsibility
English
Awarded two GCSEs by the end of Year 11:
GCSE English Language.
GCSE English Literature.
Two strands externally assessed:
Reading and Writing.
Speaking and Listening.
Two tiers of entry:
Foundation or Higher Paper.
Unit 1: Understanding and Producing Non-Fiction Texts
 2 hours 15 minutes.
 60% of overall GCSE grade.
Unit 3: Controlled Assessment
 Reading assessment on Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men.
 Two pieces of creative, original writing.
 Spoken Language Study.
 40% of overall GCSE grade.
Unit 2: Speaking and Listening Controlled Assessment
 No longer included as part of the overall GCSE English
Language grade.
 An endorsement on final GCSE English Language certificate.
Unit 1: Exploring Modern Texts
 Two set texts.
 1 hour 30 minutes external examination.
 40% of overall GCSE grade.
Unit 2: Poetry Across Time
 A selection of poems from the AQA Moon on the Tides
Anthology.
 1 hour fifteen minutes external examination.
 35% of overall GCSE grade.
Unit 3: Controlled Assessment
 Shakespeare and Literary Heritage Comparative Study.
 25% of overall GCSE grade.
Maths
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One GCSE awarded at the end of year 11.
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Assessment is through two exams
◦ 50% Calculator
◦ 50% Non-Calculator
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All four ‘strands’ of Maths are assessed in each exam
◦ Number – Algebra – Shape – Statistics
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Students are assessed in each exam in three ways
◦ Recall of Mathematical facts (up to 50%)
◦ Selection of methods to apply to a context (up to 30%)
◦ Problem solving and reasoning mathematically (up to 30%)
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Number
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Basic Operations
Fractions
Decimals
Percentages
Ratio
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Direct and inverse proportion
Complex Percentages
Standard Index Form
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Algebra
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Algebraic Expression
Solving Equations
Plotting Graphs
Coordinates
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Graphical Transformations
Quadratic Equations
Algebraic Fractions
Proof
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Shape
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Area and Perimeter
Measures and Units
Transformations
Angle Rules
Volume
Shape Properties
Trigonometry
Complex volume and area
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Statistics
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Averages and Range
Charts and Graphs
Data Collection
Probability
Histograms
Conditional Probability
Cumulative Frequency
English
IF YOU READ!
YOU
WILL
SUCCEED!
You can help your child to develop their
reading skills by:
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Encouraging them to read for a short amount of
time every day.
Encourage them to read good quality journalism.
Read your child’s set texts and discuss them
together.
Let your child see you reading.
Read together!
You can help your child to practise these skills
by:
 Encouraging your child to use a dictionary.
 Working with your child to check through
work for spelling, punctuation and
grammatical errors.
 If you aren’t sure, look things up together.
You can help your child to practise this skill
by:
 Asking your child to describe the main
characters in their books.
 Talk about the story and the parts the
characters play.
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GCSE Study Guide series are available for all
titles.
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BBC Bitesize.
Universal Teacher.
Sky Learning.
‘English Biz’.
www.gcseresult.co.uk
Cherwell online @YouTube.
BBC Skillswise.
Use the AQA online resources for GCSE
English and English Literature.
Maths
Maths – Then and Now
◦ The Maths has not changed but the methods look a
bit different sometimes.
◦ The most common is multiplication…
Maths – Then and Now
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Different methods do not mean you can not help.
◦ Spend time working with children on problems.
◦ If the methods you use are different compare solutions,
discuss which is more efficient, ask them to explain their
methods to you.
◦ Make sure they know the basics – times tables.
◦ Encourage them to believe they can do maths.
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Studies have shown that students and parents
spending time studying together has a positive
impact on outcomes.
These are both Past paper questions.
Past exam papers provide essential preparation and should all be
completed to the very best of a students ability
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Revision Guides
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Homework
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Help Available
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Know you basics
◦ Set each week and will be either a past paper or a question booklet
◦ Should be treated throughout as preparation
◦ Staff run after-school classes
◦ Ask parents/carers/grandparents/siblings…
◦ Attend holiday revision classes
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Times tables
Number Bonds
Basic Formulae
Fractions/decimals/Percentages
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MathsWatch CD
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GCSE Bitesize – BBC
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Apps (smartphone)
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MyMaths Website
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YouTube tutorial videos
◦ Available free specifically for GCSE or just for general
practice
◦ Maths Card
◦ Individual passwords for each student
◦ Tracks progress and gives instant feedback
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Good grades in all subjects are essential but
◦ Employers more and more want good grades in
Maths and English
◦ A minimum standard has been introduced for all
students to achieve and they will have to keep
studying until 18 to achieve it
◦ This is about more than factual knowledge and is
about demonstrating communication skills,
problem solving ability and initiative
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We will be here to answer any questions now
but if you do have any other questions please
feel free to contact us directly through the
school.