Key Stage 4 - GCSE
The department currently start to teach the GCSE syllabus in year 9, allowing students to become familiar with the techniques they need to learn in order for them to achieve their best possible result in year 10 or 11. Some students are entered early if we believe they are ready to achieve a good GCSE grade. Currently some students follow the Edexcel Linear course and some the modular course. Although in future all students will follow the Linear course due to the changes in Government legislation.
The linear course is assessed by two exam papers which have equal weighting. The first paper is non-calculator and the second is calculator. The exam papers cover everything from basic number work and algebra up to trigonometry, circle theorems, vectors and some very in depth algebra. Unfortunately coursework is no longer allowed in the mathematics GCSE course.
There is also an alternative provision available for those students that complete their GCSE early and achieve a good grade. For example, some students in year 11 have studied some of the A-Level course in preparation for College.
GCSE results have significantly improved in mathematics over the last few years and we always try to ensure that every child is well catered for, allowing us to offer one to one sessions, after school sessions and revision sessions during the school day when appropriate.
|
