Supporting your child in Y10 February 2017

Session aims GCSE Mathematics and GCSE Mathematics- Numeracy Target setting and tracking Revision Where to find help and support Welcome Explain domestic arrangements, fire evacuation procedure, location of toilets, availability of refreshments. Acknowledge that some parents may have been through exam season before if they have older children but since some of the examinations have changed and it was felt that it would be useful to provide an update as well as the new revision materials. Describe the session aims. The first part of the meeting will focus on strategies for supporting your pupil with revision at home We will then focus on the all-important subjects of mathematics and English with presentation from the subject leaders who will talk you through these qualifications, how you can support at home and what is support is available at school. We will end the session with some practical information regarding the examinations and afterwards there will be an opportunity for refreshments and questions.

Mathematics – Numeracy Two qualifications GCSE Mathematics and GCSE Mathematics-Numeracy GCSE Mathematics – Numeracy Mathematics Content   Number, Measure and Statistics plus some aspects of Algebra, Geometry and Probability All the content of GCSE Mathematics - Numeracy Additional Algebra, Geometry and Probability Assessment focus The application of the above content in context – The application of the above content in context Procedural skills in situations that are context-free or involve minimal context for all content All pupils in Wales now sit GCSEs set by the Welsh examinations board WJEC which is regulated by the body Qualifications Wales. For mathematics pupils are expected to take qualifications one in mathematics and one in numeracy. The table shows the difference in the two qualifications. Explain the key differences

GCSE Mathematics – Numeracy example question This question has been taken from sample papers provided by the examination board. This is an example question from the Numeracy qualification. All of the questions on the numeracy papers will have mathematics questions posed in the form of a problem, so for example, it might involve pupils working out a money based problem or if it is assessing some geometry skills such as perimeter the question might involve working out the length of a fence. There will be different types of questions including multiple choice and questions where candidates have to determine whether statements are true or false. On each examination paper two marks are awarded for communicating answers accurately and structuring them well.

Mathematics Tiers of entry The tier of entry determines the grade available for each candidate. We plan carefully to ensure candidates are entered for the tier that will suit them best so that the level of challenge is not too great or too low. Pupils know which tier they are entered for. The exam dates will be the same for all tiers of entry. These dates are provided in your packs.

Mathematics – The examinations Both examinations are assessed in the same way. There will be two written papers so four examinations in total. There is no coursework and no controlled assessments in mathematics. Each qualification is made up of unit 1 and unit 2. Both units can assess all of the subject content. Students are allowed a calculator for unit 2 so topics such as trigonometry and trial and improvement are more likely to be on these papers but there are no guarantees. The two papers are equally weighted in that half of the total marks is available on each. The first page of each examination paper includes a list of formulae that pupils can refer to. This is always the same and does not change dependent on the exam. The formulae provided depends on the tier of entry and this also affects the length of the exam.

Mathematics – The Support Pack We are providing you with a pack for your child. There are three packs for each of the tiers of entry so you have been given a higher, intermediate or foundation pack depending on which examination your child is sitting. Within the pack there is information on when the mathematics examinations are and the equipment that pupils need, a revision list of topics they need to learn as well as some general advice on how to revise. Within section 1, there is a progress tracker enclosed (show this), we will be carrying our practice examinations with pupils over the coming months, they can plot their results on here and overtime this demonstrate improvement. There is also a self-assessment sheet where we would encourage pupils to rate how they think they feel about each topic. They can then see clearly how much revision they need to do and how they should prioritise topics for revision.

Mathematics – The Support Pack Section two provides an eight week programme of general practice. These eight booklets have been designed to cover nearly all of the topics that pupils are expected to know in a holistic way. We will be asking pupils to submit one of these homework tasks to their teacher every Friday. Teachers will then mark these and spend time with classes focussing on the topics that have proven most challenging. Additional focussed, topic-based tasks will be set by teachers and these can be filed by pupils in section 3 of these folders. As parents we are asking for your support in checking with your children every Wednesday how this homework is going. Don’t just ask them if it is done, ask them to show you it completed. If there are questions that they are finding challenging if you cannot help them yourself you can direct them to support either on the internet (will show more shortly) or to their teacher prior to submission.

Mathematics PiXL app Provide a demonstration of how pupils can use the PiXL app to support their learning NB images taken from Apple App store – no permission to use these from PiXL

Mathematics – useful websites My maths NB NO PERMISSION TO USE THESE IMAGES HAS YET BEEN RECEIVED FROM MYMATHS Explain there is a full list of support websites available in the parent information guide and that some of these require school login details. Show a live demonstration of the site or use the following slides with screen shots to explain where to find support for topics, how to use the practice tests view your progress and also a look at the booster packs. E.g D-C. Provide school and pupils logins.

Maths Watch Provide a demonstration of the mathswatch website including how to search for clips, how to find a specific clip given the clip number. Provide the school login. If using the features for setting tests that are marked by the site and provide feedback demonstrate this functionality also and provide pupil logins.