Mathematics
What do students learn in Mathematics in Key Stage 4?
GCSE mathematics provides a broad, coherent, satisfying and worthwhile course of study. It encourages students to develop confidence in mathematics, have a positive attitude towards mathematics and to recognise the importance of mathematics in their own lives and to society. The course also provides a strong mathematical foundation for students who go on to study mathematics at a higher-level post-16.
GCSE mathematics enables 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.
How will students learn in this course?
Students will have on average 4 hours of maths lessons per week and learn in a setted class. They are taught using a wide variety of resources including CGP Textbooks, Corbett Maths and Just Maths just to name a few.Â
Home Learning is predominantly set via MathsWatch which is an online site created around the maths curriculum. There are a variety of questions, starting from simple skill questions, progressing up in difficulty to exam style questions. Work is marked immediately and extra feedback can be added by the class teacher. There are videos embedded within the homework to assist students at home.Â
Each student will have a login individual to them and can be accessed via any web browser
How are students assessed in this course?Â
The examinations for the GCSE course are in the summer term of Year 11. Students sit three papers, one non-calculator and two calculator papers. All three exams are 1 hr 30mins in length.Â
What is the learning sequence?
The order of teaching is detailed in the table below. The length of time each set spends on each topic varies between different sets. This enables teachers and students to teach and learn at an appropriate pace. Your Child’s maths book and mathswatch work will give you an indication of which topic they are studying at any one time.
| Foundation | Higher | ||
| 1 | Number 1 | 1 | Number 1 |
| 2 | Algebra 1 | 2 | Algebra 1 |
| 3 | Statistics and Graphs | 3 | Statistics and Graphs |
| 4 | Number 2: Fractions and Percentages | 4 | Number 2: Fractions and Percentages |
| 5 | Averages | 5 | Angles and Pythagoras |
| 6 | Angles | 6 | Algebra 2: Graphs |
| 7 | Algebra 2 | 7 | Shape |
| 8 | Shape | 8 | Transformations |
| 9 | Algebra 3: Graphs | 9 | Algebra 3 |
| 10 | Transformations | 10 | Trigonometry |
| 11 | Number 3 : Ratio | 11 | Advanced Graphs |
| 12 | Probability | 12 | Algebra 4 |
| 13 | Algebra 4 | 13 | Circle Geometry |
| 14 | Standard Form | 14 | Grade 9 |
What qualification is gained from which exam board?
Students will achieve a GCSE Grade 9-1 from Edexcel
Link to exam board specification
How is it graded?Â
The syllabus studied is the linear Edexcel Specification (1MA1) and was first examined in 2017. This allows students to study at either Foundation Level (grades 5-1), or Higher Level (grades 9-4).
What further education and or careers can this qualification lead to?Â
Whatever your heart desires. Mathematics is an essential part of all careers and demonstrates logical reasoning, problem solving and basic numeracy skills. These are skills that are transferable to any career and an important part of life.Â