Mathematics

Exam Board: AQA

Grading System: 9-1

Higher Paper: Grades 9-4

Foundation Paper: Grades 5-1

What does revision in Maths look like?

By far, the best way to learn Mathematics is to do Mathematics. Practice questions are the best way to revise.

We have created a GCSE Resources Padlet with links to quality resources which students can use to find questions to practice. This will be updated we find any other we would recommend.

Students also have Get Smart Guides that outline the topics studied each term and helps students navigate the Independent Learning section of Sparx.

Students will be given a formula sheet in the exam (examples: AQA Higher 2024 / AQA Foundation 2024) but may still find it useful to memorise some, therefore flashcards could also be helpful.

How much Maths revision should my child be doing?

The quality of revision is more important than the quantity however the following guidelines may be useful:

In Year 10, in addition to their regular Sparx Extended Learning (1 hour), students should also be doing another 30-60 minutes of self-directed study per week on some sort of consolidation or exam practice.
This self-directed study may be through the resources on the GCSE Resources Padlet (above), or it may be on Sparx. We would recommend that students use the Independent Learning section of the Sparx website in addition to the Get Smart Guides that we have created.
Additionally, towards the end of Year 10 and into Year 11, as the students get to a point where they have covered the majority of the content, students will be given half exam papers to take home and practice each week. These should take 45 minutes each.

What does my child need to be able to revise for Maths effectively?

Access to the following resources/webpages:

Students should also have access to the following equipment:

Pens, pencils, notebook and paper dedicated to making notes and writing working out by hand.
A quiet space to work. (This could be during extended study in school)
A scientific calculator such as this. Some cheaper scientific calculators do not have a fraction function - it is better to get one that does - the Casio model linked above is excellent, and they are good quality. (Ms Marshall still uses the Casio calculator she had in school!)
A Mathematical instruments set such as this including a ruler, protractor and compass.
A set of blank cards for making flashcards such as these.

How will my child know their strengths and areas for development?

Following every end of term test or mock exam, each student will receive a QLA which will include:

A RAG-rated list of how they did on each question.
Corresponding Sparx codes that would help with each of these gaps.

The most conscientious students should also be keeping track of this using their own copy of the Get Smart Guides as they progress through KS4.

Sparx Maths

All XP students have access to Sparx Maths. Most are familiar with it as the platform they use for Extended Study, but it is also an invaluable tool for additional, self-directed study.

Sparx learns more about the student the more it is used. Hours put into Extended Study over multiple years, pay off as the platform understands the student's strength and weaknesses and creates assignments relevant to these.

The Compulsory section will be where students will find any assigned Extended Study to be completed that week.

The XP Boost and Target sections provide additional tasks for students to practice, based on their previous performance.

The Independent Learning sections however, gives pupils total freedom to look up videos and practice tasks for any topic at any level. Students can find relevant tasks by using a code or by using the search function. It has the potential to be a very powerful tool for revision if used well in conjunction with assessment feedback and Get Smart Guides (as above).

Past Papers

Past Papers are a very useful tool to use for revision. However, there is by definition a limited amount of them! For this reason, we won't give past papers to students as part of Extended Study until the end of Year 10. However, there is no reason that students cannot also access this resources independently themselves should they wish to.

MathsGenie is one of many websites that posts past papers and their mark schemes. Students should focus on AQA papers, since that will be the exam board they will sit, but a paper from any exam board can be useful practice (the Maths is still the same!)

Some tips for completing past papers:

Underline/highlight key information in the question to help you to figure out what to do.
Consider whether you could draw a picture or a table to help you think.
Consider a simpler version of the problem first to figure out the method.

Attempt every question.
If you are stuck, leave the question and come back to it.

Use the Mark Scheme to check your answers, and where you have made a mistake, or if there is a misconception, use it to help you work out what you need to do - then make corrections.
Use a Sparx Maths Task to help you with any concepts you find difficult.

So how exactly can I help?

Help to cultivate a positive atmosphere around Maths

Celebrate your child's successes and help them navigate what they find difficult. (You don't need to be an expert to do this! There are tons of resources outlined above that you can direct them to.)
Encourage them not to give up - Maths success is found in building resilience. Don't accept "I don't get it", what they mean is "I don't get it yet".
Avoid comments like "I could never do Maths!" or "I don't understand this new Maths - we just did this..." - there will be pedagogical reasons for the method choice, and negative feelings about Maths from parents can influence how students feel about Maths themselves.

Help your child to get organised and give them a quiet space to work

Help your child to come up with a revision timetable and plan that is manageable. Remember spaced practice is better than cramming.
Check that your child is sticking to their revision timetable or, when they are not able to, that they make up the time.
Check that you child is meeting deadlines for Extended Study.
Ask to see your child's Extended Study and evidence of revision (notes/flashcards etc).

Talk to your child about their revision at the end of each study session

Ask your child to explain what they have been working on, and have them explain to you how the concepts they are mastering work. You might want to ask:
- "What have you been working on?"
- "Can you explain to me how you got that question correct?"
- "What mistakes did you make? Do you know how to correct them? Can you explain how you would correct them please?"
- "Are there any things that you keep forgetting? Do you need to make a flashcard for that?"

Please contact Ms Marshall (STEAM Faculty Lead) at rmarshall@xpgateshead.org if you have any concerns or questions about revision or Maths generally - she will be very happy to help!

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