Mathematics
Mathematics is a core subject in the National Curriculum and important for many jobs and careers. A good understanding of Mathematics will help you with other subjects at College too. We aim to help you achieve the best standard that you can.
When you arrive at Guthlaxton you will be in a set based on your SAT teacher's assessment and end result. The set may be changed depending on how you progress in the subject. The aim is for you to be in a class where the work is a challenge, but not too difficult for you.
All students will need some specialist equipment for this lesson. A ruler, protractor, compasses and calculator are essential for all external exams. You will find them a great help in lessons too.
GCSE Mathematics (Two year course)
The GCSE now has two tiers of entry, Foundation or Higher. Students will initially be placed in sets on the basis of their actual Key Stage 3 SAT score but which tier they are finally entered at will not be decided until December of Year 11. There will be opportunities to move between sets and tiers during the course of Year 10. The Foundation Tier is aimed at students likely to achieve a grade D or below but the top grade possible is a C. The Higher Tier is aimed at students likely to achieve a grade B or above, but grades down to D may be awarded. At the moment the details of the new courses have not been finalised but it has been decided that there will be no coursework in either Tier. We expect to enter students for the modular course with modules probably being taken in the Autumn of Year 10, the Summer of Year 10 and at the end of Year 11, but this may change when details of the modules are published. Some local schools have had success entering some or all of their students for the final GCSE in the Autumn of Year 11, giving the opportunity to improve grades in the Summer where necessary. This is something that we will consider when final course details are available.
"Express" Mathematics
Students opting for the Express course should be heading for a good level 7 or above in their Key Stage 3 SAT and should be recommended to do so by their High School teacher. Express students will follow the linear course which will still contain two pieces of coursework (for one last year) each worth 10% of the final mark. They will sit their GCSE exams in the Autumn of Year 11 and then follow the Higher Tier GCSE Statistics course for the remainder of Year 11, taking their exams in the Summer of Year 11.
Method of Assessment
| Modular (one GCSE) Express | ||
| Examinations | 100% | 80% |
| Coursework | 0% | 20% |
GCSE
- Mathematics
- Statistics