Maths
Year 7 students are put into Maths sets from the start of the year based on their KS2 results from primary school. For the rest of Year 7 students are taught within these sets. However these sets are not rigid and there is sometimes the possibility for students to move sets throughout the year, particularly after a test, if appropriate.
During Year 8 students continue to be taught in sets. These sets are decided on at the end of Year 7, based on test and exam results for the year, along with each teacher's professional judgement. Again these sets are not rigid and there is sometimes the possibility for students to move sets throughout the year.
During Year 9 students continue to be taught in sets. These sets are decided on at the end of Year 8, again based on test and exam results for the year, along with each teacher's professional judgement. Once again these sets are not rigid and there is sometimes the possibility for students to move sets throughout the year. In order for the Year 9 students to make a thorough and well prepared start to the Maths GCSE course, we actually start the GCSE in January 2012. The course will run for two years and students will sit their GCSE exams in November 2013. Students will therefore receive their final GCSE grade in January of Year 11. The advantage of this is that there will be the opportunity for students to take a second-sitting of the exam in June of Year 11, for those students for whom it is appropriate. For those students who achieve their potential and have no need to take a second-sitting, we are able to offer a further qualification. This may be GCSE Statistics or an accredited Maths qualification at a different level.
Year 10 are following the AQA modular GCSE course, syllabus B. The course is made up of 3 units and most students sat the Unit 2 exam in June of Year 9. The unit 1 exam will be on 9November 2011 and counts for 26.7% of the final grade. Unit 1 covers mainly data handling topics with some number topics as well e.g. fractions, decimals & percentages and ratio & proportion. Any students who missed the Unit 2 exam in June will sit this on 14 November. After the Unit 1 exam in November, students will then start on Unit 3, the final unit, worth 40% of the overall grade. This unit covers shape and space topics with some algebra.
There may be an opportunity for some students to take a second-sitting of Units 1 or 2 in March 2012 but this is a decision that will be taken by the school. Students will sit the Unit 3 exam in November of Year 11 and receive their final GCSE grade for Maths in January of Year 11. The advantage of this is that there will be an opportunity for students to take a second-sitting of the third and final unit in June of Year 11, for those for whom it is appropriate. For those students who achieve their potential and have no need to take a second-sitting, we are able to offer a further qualification. This may be GCSE Statistics or an accredited Maths qualification at a different level.
Units 1 and 3 are both calculator papers and unit 2 is a non-calculator paper. It is recommended that all students buy a revision guide from school. It is essential that all students have their own calculator which they bring to all lessons in order to become familiar with them throughout the year.
Year 11 have already sat Units 1 and 2 of the AQA modular GCSE course, syllabus B. This is a combined total of 60% taken already. There may an opportunity for some students to take a second-sitting of Units 1 or 2 in November 2011 but this is a decision that will be taken by the school.
Unit 3, the remaining unit, is worth 40% and will be taken in May/June 2012 during the main GCSE exam season. This unit covers shape and space topics with some algebra and is a calculator paper.
It is recommended that all students studying the GCSE course buy a revision guide from school. They cover the complete two year course - many students will already have these from Year 9 or Year 10. It is essential that all students have their own calculator which they bring to lessons in order to become familiar with them throughout the year.