mathematics

GCSE mathematics

Compulsory Subject

Examination Board: Edexcel. Course 1MA1.

WHY SHOULD STUDENTS study mathematics?

Maths is for everyone. It is diverse, engaging and essential in equipping students with the right skills to reach their future destination, whatever that may be.

GCSE mathematics is compulsory for all students. They must achieve Grade 4 or higher or they will have to retake the qualification at post 16.

WHAT WILL STUDENTS NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS COURSE?

They will need to work hard, be dedicated, show tenacity and display organisational skills.

SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS

This course is compulsory for all students. Students with aspirations of Grades 6 and above can expect to be well challenged at GCSE Higher Level. This is a demanding course which provides the gateway to the top maths grades which are vital for going on to study maths at A-level, and then for access to the top universities. As for careers, top maths grades are essential for subjects like engineering, medicine, accountancy and many others.

Students aiming for a GCSE in maths will be well supported with the GCSE Foundation syllabus. This course gives you access to grades up to a 5 which is considered by colleges and employers to be a strong pass at GCSE maths.

As students approach their examinations they can expect lots of support from the maths teachers. We run weekly targeted intervention sessions, and we are really good at providing extra support with additional revision resources and practice exam papers.

Course Content

The content has been organised into broad topic areas as follows:

  • Number

  • Algebra

  • Ratio, proportion and rates of change references

  • Geometry and measures

  • Probability

  • Statistics

There are 3 types of questions that examiners ask: AO1 (skills), AO2 (reasoning and communicating) and AO3 (problem solving).

Assessment

Paper 1 - Non Calculator

  • Written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes

  • 80 marks

  • A mix of question styles, from short, single-mark questions to multi-step problems. The mathematical demand increases as a student progresses through the paper.

Paper 2 - Calculator

  • Written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes

  • 80 marks

  • A mix of question styles, from short, single-mark questions to multi-step problems. The mathematical demand increases as a student progresses through the paper.

Paper 3 - Calculator

  • Written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes

  • 80 marks

  • Calculator allowed

  • A mix of question styles, from short, single-mark questions to multi-step problems. The mathematical demand increases as a student progresses through the paper.

All content can be assessed on any of the three question papers. As such, some questions will draw together elements of maths from different topic areas.

Other mathematics courses at STA

Some student are invited to go on to study the AQA Further Maths 8365. This course is offered as an enrichment programme for students who are expecting to achieve a Grade 8 or 9 at higher level GCSE maths. It provides an introduction to the maths studied in A level. There are two 2-hour examinations (one calculator and one non-calculator) at the end of the course. Details can be found by searching AQA Further Maths 8365.

FURTHER EDUCATION AND CAREER PATHWAYS

Mathematics A-level is the next step after GCSE, for which students need at least a grade 7 at GCSE. Students with grades 8 or 9 may wish to consider studying Further Mathematics A-level, which means that they cover more A-level units in the same time span. Maths graduates can seek employment into a wide range of fields: actuarial studies, data analysts, forensics, accountancy, research, statistician, medicine, engineering, to name but a few!