GCSE Mathematics A Presentation for Year 10 Pupils and their Parents Chris Burnie September 2016
Key Stage 4 Mathematics Course Structure Examination Questions Resources The Parent-Teacher partnership Revision
GCSE Mathematics First introduced in mid-1980 s Changed several times since then The new GCSE Mathematics curriculum started in September 2015 your son will be in the second cohort to study this new syllabus
GCSE at LPSB We use the Pearson EdExcel syllabus (1MA1) Pupils are entered into one of two examination levels of entry depending on ability
Assessment Assessment Half termly Assessment Internal Mock GCSE Exam External Formal GCSE Exam Frequency Every 7 weeks End of Year 10 End of Year 11 Format 1 hr test in class 1hr 30 min Non-Calc paper 1hr 30 min Calc paper 1 x 1hr 30 min Non-Calc paper 2 x 1hr 30 min Calc paper Purpose Formative Formative/ Summative Summative
Half Termly Assessments (HTA) Set changes could be made after February half term if assessment results are significantly different from the rest of the class The right preparation for HTAs will help to contribute to your son s success
The Key Stage 4 Journey Additional Maths Grades 8-9 Sets 1-7 Higher Grades 8-9 Grade 7 Sets 8-9 Foundation Two Grades Progress Grades 5-6 Two Grades Progress (Focused IS) Grade 4 or below
Changes to content Now included in Higher Tier:- Gradient at a point on a curve Areas under graphs APs and GPs Quadratic Inequalities Inverse and composite functions
Changes to content Now included in Foundation Tier:- Factorising Quadratics Linear simultaneous equations Trigonometry Standard Form Compound Interest Reverse Percentages Vectors Direct and inverse proportion
Text Book Each set uses a specific text book which is tailored to the needs of the class Each student is issued with a homework book providing opportunity to consolidate their learning outside of the lesson
What other resources are available?
Education is at its best when the triangle partnership is strong Teacher Pupil Parent
Hard work can result in really good progress being made Progress isn t always easy
We support this by Reporting on students progress each term An annual parents evening Being accessible to parents via e-mail or telephone Maths Clinic: Mondays 3pm 4pm (Rm 520) Invite Only Intervention Sessions
What parents can do to support this 1) Ask your son how he is getting on 2) Look at his exercise book to see how much progress he has made. 3) Check his homework diary (you should expect to see maths homework set twice a week)
Prior to exams We run revision classes after school in the run up to exams. Revision books will be available from school. Calculators are for sale for 6 (Amazon 7.99) Maths Sets - 1.50
You can also help him by Making sure he remembers the correct mathematical kit PPRC 123
Recent GCSE Maths Results 2015/16 86% A* - C 2014/15 89% A*- C 2013/14 91% A*- C
Recent GCSE Maths Results 2017/18 Even better!
Sam Rees Head of English
Over the next two years you will study for 2 GCSEs Speaking and Listening Pupils will also be assessed for speaking and listening and their grades will be listed with your final results.
English Language Paper 1 Paper 2 Section A: Reading a literary fiction texts Section B: descriptive or narrative writing Section A: Reading one nonfiction and one literary nonfiction text Section B: Writing to present a viewpoint 1 hour 45 min 80 marks 50% GCSE 1 hour 45 min 80 marks 50% GCSE
Early entry All pupils will take their English Language GCSE at the end of Year 10 They will sit both papers Results will be published in August along with the Year 11 cohort They have another opportunity to take the examination at the end of Year 11. Re-sitting this exam is compulsory for all pupils Pupils will keep their best result from the two attempts
Over the next two years you will study 2 GCSEs English Literature 40% UNIT ONE: Exam - Shakespeare & 19th Century novel 60% UNIT TWO: Exam - Modern texts & poetry (seen and unseen)
English Literature Paper 1 Paper 2 Section A: write about an extract from Macbeth then write about the play as a whole Section B: write in detail about an extract of the novel (The Sign of the Four) then about the novel as a whole 1 hour 45 min 64 marks 40% GCSE Closed book you must learn your quotations Section A: choose a question on the modern text (An Inspector Calls) Section B: answer a question comparing 2 poems you have studied Section C: 2 questions on unseen poems, one comparing the two. 2 hour 15 min 96 marks 60% GCSE Closed book you must learn your quotations
How will pupils be assessed? No coursework No grades A* - C Instead a new grading system: 9 1 (9 is high) Grade 5 will be seen as roughly equivalent to the old B grade. This will be the new minimum standard for employers, entry onto courses etc.
What does this mean for pupils? 100% effort and commitment from the beginning No easy option coursework which can be drafted first Regular examination style essays to gauge progress and targets Independent study and self-motivation A more challenging and rewarding set of qualifications which bring us more into line with those in other countries.
Top tips Pupils MUST make reading a habit Literary and non-literary reading Identify appealing 19 th century texts for boys to read. The more exposure they have to the language, syntax and structure of this writing, the better Novels, autobiographies, magazines, editorials, newspapers Challenging, wide-ranging reading Productions/adaptations wherever possible
Setting 9 sets to support the learning of all students No set changes Pupils will have the same sets for the duration of the GCSE course
Shifting goalposts Schools have moved away from focusing on the performance of pupils in English Language Now equal weighting will be placed on Language and Literature. Both count in the attainment and progress figures published in league tables HOWEVER, it is still English Language that will be of interest for 6 th form, FE, and employers
Thanks for your continued support