Mathematics
GCSE (9-1)
Current Year 10
Over the last
three years our
pupils have made
more progress in
Maths than in
any other
Cambridgeshire
state school.
(Based on the expected
progress measure over the
last three years)
Key Changes
• Linear Course
• Grades 9-1 replacing A*- G
• Level of demand of both tiers of entry has increased
• Content significantly increased at both tiers
• A increased focus on multi step problem
solving questions
• Exam time increased to 4.5 hours (3 exams)
The Impact – Specification Exemplification
Higher Tier to Foundation Tier:
 Trigonometry
 Standard Form
 Vectors
 Factorising Quadratics
 Using y = mx + c to work with straight lines on graphs
The Impact – Specification Exemplification
Some examples of new content:
• Knowing an increasing array of facts and formulas by heart
(Foundation and Higher tier)
• Using inequality notation to specify simple error intervals (Foundation
and Higher tier)
• Venn diagrams (Foundation and Higher tier)
• Finding the equation of a tangent to a circle at a given point (Higher
tier only)
• Finding approximate solutions to equations numerically using iteration
(Higher tier only)
Grading and Tiers
Top 20% of those
getting 7 or above
Higher Tier
Grades 9 – 4
Foundation Tier
Grades 5 - 1
The same number
of pupils currently
getting an A or
above will get a 7
or above.
The same number
of pupils currently
getting a C or
above will get a 4
or above.
Maths Department - Actions
•
Analysed sample papers and chosen the exam board we
believe gives the best chances of success for all our pupils.
•
Developed comprehensive schemes of learning and
materials to meet the new demand and challenge.
•
Developed new robust assessments to track progress and
help decisions about tier of entry.
•
Actively investigating and regularly reviewing alternative
provision for low attaining pupils and additional provision for
high attaining pupils.
What you can do
• We have increased the demand of homework. You can
help us ensure pupils are attempting these to the best of
their ability.
• Support the school in the tier of entry decision. Final
decisions will not be made until after the Mock exam in
Year 11.
• Encourage pupils to take internal assessments seriously
and ensure they are using revision and review
materials.
Next Assessment – Monday7th December.
Internal Assessment – Revision and
Independent Work
•
New Style Sample Papers at www.bit.ly/mathssample
•
Flashcards
•
Topic and Exam Style Revision using:
•
www.mathswatchvle.com
•
www.tannermaths.co.uk
Flash Cards for quick recall of key facts
You can test them on
these facts and keep
testing them until they
know them all!
Individual Focus for Improvements
Students record passwords for
Mymaths and Mathswatch
Your child records
topics that they need
to work on
independently. This
may be their own view
or the view of the
teacher.
The Revision List
MathsWatch- www.mathswatchvle.com
1)
3)
2)
4)
Revision Guide/Workbook
• Good notes and
practice exam
questions
• There may be better
alternatives
published
• Grade 9 Practice books also
available for £3 each
• Discount Schools
price £6 in total for
the guide and the
workbook
Recap – What can you do to support
your child in Mathematics?
1) Flashcards – learn them all
2) Topic Practice- Mathswatch and Revision Guides
3) GCSE Revision Resources
(including exam questions) at
www.tannermaths.co.uk
btanner@sawstonvc.org
(Head of Maths)