Mathematics
GCSE
What will I study?
Mathematics is involved in nearly every aspect of your life; confidence using it will help you to succeed in whatever you choose to do. As you follow the course, you will build on skills, knowledge and understanding you already have in mathematics and apply these skills in solving many practical problems.
How will I be assessed?
All mathematics courses are examined by terminal assessment. Consequently, the work you study from Year 9 to Year 11 will be tested in June of Year 11.
We follow the Edexcel GCSE 9-1 specification which has calculator and non-calculator sections. 100% of the assessment is through examination; there are no coursework or controlled assessment tasks.
The examinations can be sat at Foundation and Higher levels. Foundation level covers grades 1 to 5 and Higher level covers grades 4 to 9. Your level of entry will be decided by your class teacher.
Teaching and learning approaches
A variety of teaching and learning approaches are used. Techniques for effective independent learning are investigated and tailored to individual students.
Enrichment opportunities
Students will be invited to take part in the national Intermediate Mathematics Challenge in Year 10 and 11.
‘Real life’ maths is explored through problem solving activities and rich tasks ensuring a level of mastery is achieved.
Self-Study
Self-study is an essential part of achieving success at GCSE. As all topics studied from Year 9 to Year 11 will be tested in the final exam, it is essential that students maintain progress, regularly reviewing their work and revising for all internal assessments. Self-study will be used to support this process; students will be introduced to Sparx Maths, an online learning platform. Sparx encourages independent learning, study skills and consolidation of topics that pupils have been taught in class.
The Future
The study of mathematics can lead to a variety of exciting professional careers. Basic research, engineering, finance, business and government service are among the opportunities open to those with mathematical training. Moreover, with the increasing importance of basic science and IT, prospects for careers in the mathematical sciences are very good. Mathematical analysis and computational modelling are important for solving the most pressing problems of our time: new energy resources, climate change, risk management to name but a few.
‘The science of pure mathematics may claim to be the most original creation of the human spirit…’
Alfred North Whitehead (1861-1947)
