Overview

Mathematics is a core subject at GCSE. All students will be following a linear course at either the Higher or the Foundation tier. The Higher tier allows students to achieve up to a grade 9, while students can achieve a 5 grade on the Foundation tier. There is no coursework in the Mathematics GCSE.

Assessments

• The qualification consists of three equally-weighted written examination papers at either Foundation tier or Higher tier.

• Paper 1 is a non-calculator assessment but a calculator is allowed for Paper 2 and Paper 3. Each paper is 1 hour and 30 minutes long.

• Each paper contains a range of short and long answer questions, some of which may be set into a non-mathematical context. Some questions examine the quality of the written communication and for these working out must be demonstrated in order to gain marks.

• The qualification will be graded and certificated on a nine-grade scale from 9 to 1 using the total mark across all three papers where 9 is the highest grade. Individual papers are not graded.

• Foundation tier: grades 1 to 5.

• Higher tier: grades 4 to 9

• Students will complete regular assessments across the three years to ensure that they are making appropriate progress and are placed on the correct tier of entry.

FAQs

Why study this course?

• Maths provides students with powerful ways to describe, analyse and understand the world. Students who are functional in mathematics, are able to think independently in applied and abstract ways, and can reason, solve problems and assess risk. These are valuable skills in further education and in all careers. Maths is truly a subject that can open any and every door, so the question is, what will you use it for?

What can you expect from this course?

• Students either follow a Higher or Foundation course according to their previous attainment in lower school. Each tier covers topics across all six assessment areas. The pace of each group is managed to ensure the right level of support and challenge and setting is reviewed regularly so that movement between sets can take place as necessary. The entry tier is not confirmed until Year 11 so this gives students time to settle in to the course and show what they are capable of.

What equipment will my child need for Maths?

• As in lower school, your child will need their normal school equipment of pens, pencils, a ruler and a rubber. In addition, they will need a pair of compasses and a protractor. They will also need a scientific calculator. These can be bought from a variety of supermarkets and stationery suppliers, or they can be purchased from the department. The model we recommend is the CASIO FX-83GTX or the FX-85GTX.

What support and additional activities are available within the course?

• Each year, some students are entered into the National UKMT Maths challenge where they compete against other schools from across the country. Students also regularly take part in Maths challenges where they complete against other schools from the Bohunt Educational Trust. 

• We run support clinics for all year groups across the Upper School. These run one night a week and students can drop in for help with classwork, homework or revision as needed.