PCSA Options Booklet 2024 - 2026

MATHEMATICS
Type of qualification: GCSE
Exam Board: Edexcel
Central Leader: Mrs L Kerrison
Head of Subject: Mrs L Kerrison
What will I study?
During your GCSE years you will study a wide range of mathematical techniques covering the areas of;
number, algebra, geometry, statistics, probability and ratio and proportion.
Typically, students in sets 1 and 2 will aim to take the Higher GCSE, whilst students in set 3 will take
Foundation GCSE. However, we also consider the needs of individual students.
For students studying the Higher GCSE and who are targeted grade 7 or above, the opportunity may be
given to study Further Maths, which is a free-standing maths qualification (FSMQ) offered by AQA.
Students who we feel will benefit from this study will be given the opportunity to study Further Maths
through lessons and after school sessions. Students can choose whether they want to then sit the exams
at the end of Year 11.
To do well you need to:
Aim to achieve and progress in every
lesson, even when topics become
difficult.
Use Hegarty Maths regularly to help with
topics that you find difficult during
lessons.
Complete unlocked Method Maths GCSE
papers as part of your revision for your
end of cycle assessments.
Careers
Mathematics is a key
subject for many future
careers. It may not be
crucial; however, many
employers look for GCSE
mathematics as standard.
However, mathematics
also opens the doors to
many specific
mathematical careers,
from accountancy to
meteorologist and beyond.
https://www.careerpilot.or
g.uk/jobsectors/subject/maths
Complete home learning to the best of your ability.
Home learning in maths is designed to help you practice
core skills regularly.
Complete Method Maths papers for your GCSE tier. This
helps practice past paper questions on specific topics.
These are set as home learning across the cycle.
Revision is key to retaining mathematical methods.
Maths is all about practice; the more you practice, the
quicker methods move from short to long-term memory.
Progression Pathways
As one of the core subjects, mathematics is essential when applying to college
and many careers insist in having a GCSE pass. Currently, if you do not pass
GCSE maths you are expected to continue studying at college until you pass.
For those wishing to study A Level maths you will need to achieve a grade 7 or
above and for further maths, grade 8 or above.
How will I be assessed?
All assessments for GCSE maths are at the end of Year 11 and are in the form of
three 1.5 hour long exams, one non-calculator and two calculator papers.
However, to help inform teaching and learning, students are assessed using
past GCSE papers at the end of every cycle from Year 10.
Please note that most Year 10 students will be entered for the GCSE Statistics to provide an
additional qualification and to prepare students for exams in Year 11.
GCSE Statistics will involve studying probabilities, manipulating datasets, exploring sampling
methods and forming scientific hypotheses. This will be done during the final five months of
Year 10 to prepare students to take the exam at the end of Year 10.
GCSE Statistics will be assessed with two, equally important, written exams. This has both
Foundation and Higher tiered exam papers. As with GCSE Maths, both tiers allow students to
access a Grade 5.