Year 10 Mathematics AIMS: To tell you about your daughter’s GCSE maths. To show you how you could support your daughter with her GCSE maths

Financial Importance of Mathematics Students who achieve a grade ‘C’ or above at GCSE have an average lifetime income of £150,000 more than those students who achieve a grade ‘D’ or below. Students with good maths skills earn £5,000 a year more (on average) than others who are not proficient in the subject. [Ref: Witan Jardine, 2008]

Employment A grade C (or above) in maths will allow you a wider choice of careers. Without maths qualifications, many jobs will be unavailable to you. You can not go to university, or do many college courses without it. Many employers believe that if you achieve a good Maths grade then you are a problem solver and also you will be able to learn the many other skills that they will require of you.

Educational Importance Maths is fundamental knowledge for life. The more skills you have in maths, the easier you will find Science, Design & Technology, ICT, many aspects of Geography and even Music

The GCSE Maths Examination We use the EDEXCEL exam board Students sit two papers at the end of the course. The first is non-calculator the second is with calculator. There is no coursework. There are two tiers of exam: Foundation and Higher. On the higher tier students can achieve grades A*,A,B,C,D,E On the foundation tier students can achieve grades C,D,E,F,G

Where are our year 10 students now Set 1 – Have completed 1 year of higher GCSE tier. By the end of year 10 students will have completed learning all the content. This will allow these students to study the A* material in greater depth in year 11. It will also allow them to learn some further maths GCSE content and take an extra GCSE should they wish.

Where are our year 10 students now Set 2 – Have also completed 1 year of higher GCSE tier. By the end of year 10 students will have completed learning all the content. This will allow these students to study the A/A* material in greater depth in year 11. It will also allow them to undertake a thorough past paper programme to aim for the top grades.

Where are our year 10 students now Set 3 – Have just begun the higher tier GCSE. In year 9 these students have covered the vast majority of the grade C and D material. This will allow these students to complete the course around Christmas in year 11. The remainder of year 11 will be a thorough past paper programme to improve exam technique and fill in knowledge gaps.

Where are our year 10 students now Sets 4 and 5 – Have completed 1 year of the foundation GCSE tier. By the end of year 10 students will have completed learning all the content. These students will have the opportunity to sit a GCSE exam at the end of year 10 – provided they are ready. We will assess in March then again in May to decide if entry is appropriate

Where are our year 10 students now Sets 4 and 5 – Those students successful in achieving a grade C at the foundation tier will have a range of options available to them: Continue their maths in year 11 studying the higher tier content and sitting the higher tier GCSE Should they need extra support in their core subjects (English and Science) they can receive this Study for an extra GCSE in one year

Where are our year 10 students now Sets 6 and 7 – Have completed 1 year of the foundation GCSE tier. By the end of year 10 students will have completed learning all the content. Year 11 will focus on all the topics highlighted as weaknesses in their end of year exam. We will run a thorough past paper programme alongside this.

What do students need to do to succeed To complete homework and classwork to the best of their ability. If they get stuck on your homework/past papers, get help from your teacher, friends, use the internet,revision guides or ask their family. Come to period 6 support sessions on Mondays Always have 3 weaknesses on the go (written in exercise books) Be resilient and motivated.

What do students need to do to succeed The revision period starts RIGHT NOW Put key facts around your house – eg 1litre = 1000ml or circumference of a circle = pi X diameter Use the revision resources on FROG 5 a day twitter feed is coming Attend the holiday workshops

Resilience

What can I do as a parent? Encourage and take an interest in your daughter’s maths. Sit with her when she tries a paper. Ask to see her past paper attempts from school If you can, help her with her maths – you are welcome to show her other methods – it will not upset us Make sure she has equipment: Scientific Calculator, Revision guide and equipment. Pack her bag on days with maths lessons ?!? Help her find her weaknesses in the revision guide or online

What can I do as a parent? Encourage her to go to the maths exam prep after school sessions. Mark her past-papers with her On boring car journeys, try to involve her with mental maths calculations If you can afford it, get a maths tutor If you are not sure about anything then e-mail the Head of Maths on c.bent@hayesfield.com

What will teachers do for your daughter? Make sure they have been taught all the syllabus. Set them past papers regularly in class to track progress. After each paper we will teach to class weaknesses. Encourage students to have 3 maths targets at all times Make you all a priority. We operate a ‘drop everything’ policy should a year 10 or 11 student need help with their maths Offer after school and holiday support in maths.