Maths

What will be taught?

Candidates at either higher or foundation level will do work on: geometrical facts associated with parallel lines, triangles and other polygons; Pythagoras’s theorem; carry out calculations on length, area and volume; the relationship between powers and roots using surds; repeated proportional change; compound measures; the use of fractions or percentages to solve problems; the recognition of the limitations on the accuracy of data and measurements; describing in symbols the rule for a sequence; sketching and interpreting graphs of linear functions and graphs that model real situations; loci; simplifying and factorizing algebraic expressions; solving simultaneous equations, equations by trial and improvement methods; describing a combination of transformations geometrically; distinguishing between formulae by considering dimensions; the use of median and inter-quartile range; scatter diagrams and lines of best fit; box plots; exclusive and independent events.

In addition, higher level candidates will cover: direct and inverse proportion; rational and irrational numbers; converting recurring decimals to fractions; solving quadratic equations by factorizing or graphical methods; the formula for solving quadratic equations; solve simultaneous equations where one is quadratic;  the meaning of the area under a graph; transformations of graphs; selecting mathematical functions to fit sets of data; the use of trigonometry  and Pythagoras’ Theorem in three dimensions; circle theorems; circular arcs, cones and spheres; simple vector methods used to solve problems; graphs of trigonometric functions; the sine and cosine rules;  histograms; cumulative frequency diagrams; tree diagrams;  conditional probabilities.

 

How will it be taught?

Mathematics is taught in sets; of which there are usually six in the year.  We expect the top five sets to take the higher level papers which carry grades A*, A, B, C, D or U and the other groups sit the foundation ones which lead to C, D, E, F, G or U.  Only students who are regarded as A*, A or B candidates should take the higher papers.  The courses are covered in five periods and two homeworks per week.

 

How will it be examined?

In either case, pupils sit two Edexcel exam board papers of two hours duration each of which carry 40% of the available marks.  The first of these is a non-calculator paper so various sections of the syllabus are taught without access to such aids.  The remaining marks are for coursework, including a data handling project, and with the grade boundaries only about 18% apart the 20% available is clearly significant. It is not surprising that the department devotes a good deal of time to helping pupils acquire the skills required in this area.  Each pupil will normally undertake at least two tasks based on number and algebra or shape and space and a statistically based project.  The order in which topics are covered varies year by year as the various coursework tasks require quite different areas of mathematical knowledge and depths of experience for success.

Set 1 take their GCSE and an additional qualification in mathematics in the Fifth Year.