Mrs L Chapman Area Leader of Mathematics
Mr P Gallagher Second in Department
Mr P Cairns
Mr D Warmington
Mr J Winwood
Mr D Ellis
Mrs S Connolly
Mrs A Upperton
Mrs P Lawrence Dedicated mathematics Learning Support Assistant
In Mathematics students are encouraged to develop their understanding through a wide variety of experiences. Alongside the theory of mathematical concepts, students apply their techniques to realistic situations in order to achieve a balance between the abstract and reality. The department has its own ICT facilities, including interactive whiteboards and laptops and we offer lunch time and after school workshops to support learning.
Course Details
Key Stage 3
In year 7 students are set across four pairs of parallel sets commensurate with their ability indicated by the Key Stage 2 SATs results and their teacher’s assessment. In year 8 and 9 the students are fully streamed across the whole year group commensurate with their ability and progress as indicated by their Progress Assessments in May of year 7 and 8.
In Years 7, 8 and 9 students will be taught from a syllabus linked to the National Numeracy Strategy with embedded thinking skills and enrichment activities. Pupils also have the opportunity to visit Techniquest in Cardiff and Pitchcroft racecourse to apply mathematics in real life situations.
During each term, students will sit a test based on the work they have covered in lessons. Students are assessed once per term and their progress is rigorously tracked. If they do not meet the expected target at this stage then an intervention programme is put into place to raise their achievement. Results of these tests are used to determine any set changes that may take place. Students can move up or down a set depending not only on test results and progress but also on overall attainment demonstrated in classwork or homework.
In Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9, students are given one homework task per week. This should take around forty to fifty minutes to complete.
Key Stage 3 Assessments
In Year 9, students work towards their end of Key Stage 3 assessments. Students sit the test which is most appropriate to their ability. There are 4 tiers:
3-5 covers Levels 3, 4 and 5
4-6 covers Levels 4, 5 and 6
5-7 covers Levels 5, 6 and 7
6-8 covers Levels 6, 7 and 8
Level 8 is the highest level awarded.
Each student sit three exams.
Paper 1 is a one hour non calculator exam
Paper 2 is a one hour calculator exam
One 20 minute mental arithmetic test
The results of the Key Stage 3 assessments are a useful indication of how each student might perform at GCSE level, and are used to determine new sets for Year 10. It is therefore important that each student does the best that they can. Revision Guides are available from most shops and are also available to buy at a slightly cheaper rate from school. The Maths Watch CD Rom can also be purchased from school and is highly recommended.
GCSE (KS4)
In Years 10 and 11, students study the OCR GCSE course in Mathematics.
Year 10 students study OCR Graduated Assessment Modular J562 GCSE. This examination assesses the four areas of number, algebra, geometry and statistics but it also assesses the application of mathematical knowledge to real world situations and tests their problem solving skills. The functional skills are embedded into the Diploma for IT.
There are three examinations for OCR J562 GCSE
Module A Calculator Paper 1 in November or January of year 10 hour worth 25% of the final GCSE grade
Module B Non Calculator Paper 2 in June of year 10 hour worth 25% of the final GCSE grade
Module C Calculator Paper 3 in June of year 11 worth 50% of final GCSE grade.
Each module is offered at Foundation (grades G to C) or Higher (grades D to A*). Students can enter a mixture of tiers but the Module C tier determines their overall grade. Each module can be re-sat once. It is imperative that all students have their own calculator and equipment.
At the end of year 10 the individual pupil’s results are analysed against their expected target grade then, in consultation with their parent and class teacher, they could be entered for the linear GCSE examination in January of year 11. If they fail to achieve or improve upon their target grade in this examination then the student continues to study the Graduated Assessment J562 course or re-sits the linear examination in June of year 11.
The present Year 11 pupils 2010-2011 are studying the OCR Graduated Assessment J517 GCSE course. Each pupil sits a minimum of two module examinations plus the terminal examination in June of year 11. Each module is aimed at a specific target grade. The highest marks in two different modules are worth 50% of the final GCSE grade.
Module 1 G
Module 2 F/G
Module 3 F
Module 4 E/F
Module 5 E
Module 6 D
Module 7 C
Module 8 B
Module 9 A
Module 10 A*
In June of year 11 the terminal examination is worth 50% of the final grade. It is offered in two tiers:
Higher Grades A* to E
Foundation C to G
Revision tips for students
Last-minute 'cramming' for exams is the worst of all worlds - it is very stressful, is unlikely to lead to good marks and you won't be able to remember much of it within a few days of leaving the exam room.
It makes much more sense to start exam revision in plenty of time - all it takes is a little planning and self-discipline to avoid those late nights, cold sweats and so-so grades.
Revising for Exams
Here are nine tips on revising for exams:
a. Make use of your learning style when you revise
b. Plan in good time
c. Active revision
d. Old exam papers
.e. Pace yourself
f. You’re not alone
g. Reward yourself
h. Trust
i. Look after yourself
a. Make use of your learning style when you revise
Tips for Visual Learners
Rewrite your notes as mind-maps
Use colour to highlight important things
Draw diagrams and sketches to help you remember points.
Tips for Auditory Learners
Read your notes aloud
Record yourself on cassette reading key points of your notes aloud, then listen to the tape afterwards
Revise with other students if you can
Sing the main points. Linking them with a tune may help you remember them.
Tips for learners who are readers and writers
Copy out your notes.
Read your notes silently.
Rewrite the key points using different words.
Write down key points from memory.
Tips for Active Learners
Move around the room
Revise while you do kung-fu moves or other physical activity
Mentally review what you’ve been revising while you’re swimming or jogging.
b. Plan in good time
Timetable
How much time have you got?
What do you need to do?
A week in hand
Aim to have your revision completed by a week before your exams. This gives you:flexibility in case of illness
a chance to spend longer on something that proves difficult a break before you sit your exams. SelectWhat topics do you need to revise? How much time do they need?
Targets
Be realistic about:
the targets you set yourself
how much time you will need.
Balance
Aim for a balance between subjects you’re strong in and those which you’re less confident about.
c. Active revision
It’s not enough just to re-read notes, make your revision active! Here’s how:
Paper
Have plenty of paper and a pen handy.
Memorise
Study a section of your notes, and memorise the essential points.
Write
Put your notes out of sight, and write down from memory the essential things you learned.
Check
Check with your notes.
Learn
Note any points you omitted or got wrong, and learn them.
Cards
Reduce notes to essential points, either by highlighting or underlining.
Use these points to make memory aids on index cards or similar-sized pieces of paper.
Use a separate card for each topic.
Write down important points to remember about each topic.
Carry these cards with you wherever you go. Review them in your spare moments.
d. Old exam papers
Look through old exam papers
Make outline plans for the answers
Note carefully the slight differences in how questions are asked from year to year.
e. Pace yourself
Use your time well.
Don’t try to do too much at once. Take a break from time to time in each study period.
f. You’re not alone
Revise with other people sometimes; if you don’t feel that you’ve entirely grasped a topic, or don’t have any ‘new’ ideas on it, discussing it with other students can be helpful. This is specially useful for Auditory Learners. If you are get stuck on any topic go and see your maths teacher or visit the Maths Clinic.
g. Reward yourself
Recognise the targets you have achieved. Mark your progress on your revision plan so that you can see what you are achieving.
h. Trust
Trust your memory.
Once you know a subject thoroughly, move on to the next. Don’t keep checking your memory to see if it’s doing its job.
It’s like a filing system, and it will produce what is required at the appropriate time.
i. Look after yourself
Sorry to sound like your Mum, but...
Diet
Try and eat a healthy diet, not just chips and burgers! Take time out for meals; don’t try to work while you’re eating dinner.
Caffeine
Too much tea and coffee can increase your anxiety levels and induce insomnia. Caffeine tablets have the same effect.
Exercise
Get some exercise! You don’t have to go mad. 20 minutes exercise 2-3 times a week will give you more stamina, help reduce stress and help you to sleep.
Rest
Don’t try to work through the night before an exam.
Go to bed in good time and get as much sleep as you can.
REMEMBER !
If you always do what you have always done,
You will always get what you have always got.
Mathematics - Useful Links
· Maths Challenge
Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College enters top sets from each year group in Leeds University's Maths Challenge. This Math's competition is the UK's biggest, 580,000 pupils from 4000 schools took part in 2010. Use this site to practice for the challenge or just for fun.
· NRICH
Cambridge University Maths page, designed for maths students of all ages, from Key Stage 1 upwards. It has games, challenges and competitions, great fun for all the family. There is also a webboard for you to ask the experts for help (could be useful when you need help with your homework or revising).
· MyMaths.co.uk
See a maths teacher for login and password
· NumberGym
Practice your number work at the Number Gym!
· www.s-cool.co.uk
Lots of games including classics such as Tetris...
· Revision Games
Practice all your Maths skills with the BBC.co.uk
MathsRevision.net
Choose the topic and the level you would like to revise
Mathsroom.co.uk
This site is a collection of links to Maths web resources and interactive teaching aids.
Most are either teaching/demonstration resources or interactive activities for pupils to complete on-line.