How can you help support your daughter in GCSE Mathematics? Mathematics Faculty

Overview Plan for the Year Understanding what has to be done Organisation and resources Place of work Praise and Trust

Plan for the Year January: Pre-Mock exam April: Mock exam June: Actual GCSE exams We are entering your daughter for her GCSE exam this year in Maths. "Growing Our Global Learning Community for Girls & Young Women" 3

Year 11 If students achieve their target grade in Maths, they will be able to study GCSE Statistics. If students do not achieve their target grade, they will have the opportunity to re- sit. "Growing Our Global Learning Community for Girls & Young Women" 4

Nationally….. The landscape is changing nationally. All students must leave school with at least a grade C in Maths. Failure to achieve this grade will mean that students will have to re-sit in the sixth form. "Growing Our Global Learning Community for Girls & Young Women" 5

Understanding what has to be done Students have 10 Maths lessons a fortnight (5 double lessons). Department policy is to set a homework once a week to consolidate learning or to revise for their exam. Home work should be written in their planner Students can also use and for additional revision. They should be doing some revision each evening – and should spend a minimum of 30 minutes every evening. Students have been given a 6 week plan to support with their revision by their Maths teacher. Students have also been given a revision list. They need to tick it off when it’s done. However, revision is not one-off. Topics need to be covered over and over again.

Understanding what has to be done Difficulties? Encourage them to talk to you about the work – especially if they get stuck. Encourage them to see their Maths teacher outside lessons to ask for help/explanation of instructions Encourage them to visit Maths surgery on Wednesdays in room M2. This is a pop in pop out session where they can get specific help.

Organisation & Resources How organised is your daughter? Planner - Make sure that everything to do is listed in the planner clearly Time management – A minimum of 30 minutes must be planned into the day. Other responsibilities e.g. jobs/siblings Help with a revision schedule – time management is a very high level skill which most adults cannot master! Books and Equipment Use planner to remind you of what books and equipment you will need on a particular day. Don’t forget your daughter will require a scientific calculator for her maths lessons and exams. She will also need a Geometry set. It helps to have highlighters.

Place of work How motivated are they? Where do they work best? Ideally needs to be a permanent spot – so time not wasted getting everything out What do you do while they are working? Are you on hand to help? Set the example and if you cannot be there – make sure you take an interest No distractions – let them listen to music if it genuinely helps

Praise and Trust What type of learner are they? They may work better in a very different way to the way that you work and learn Build a routine What is the incentive? How do you praise them? Encourage them to become an independent learner The more interest you take and support you give – the more motivated they will be, which is an essential factor in achieving their best for these exams.

Extra help Download the past paper app on android phones. Maths surgery every Wednesday after school in room M2 (teachers on hand to assist) Purchase a Mathswatch CD. Letters will come to your daughter next week. Students will be given a revision list just before the Christmas break.

If you have any questions….. Please do not hesitate to contact Ms Flack (Assistant Headteacher Maths and Numeracy) at: "Growing Our Global Learning Community for Girls & Young Women" 12

"Growing Our Global Learning Community for Girls & Young Women" 13 GOOD LUCK and may your daughter succeed this year.