Year 11 GCSE Mathematics 2015/16 Key Information for Pupils and Parents

Course Overview  Linear Examination  100% Exam - No coursework  Higher (A*-D) Foundation (C-G)  1 x Non-Calculator Paper  1 x Calculator Paper

Key Dates MOCK EXAMS  Testing GCSE topics covered since year 9  Non-Calculator Paper - w/c 30 th Nov 2015  Calculator Paper - w/c 14 th March 2016 GCSE EXAMS  Paper 1 Non-Calculator - Thursday 26 th May 2016  Paper 2 Calculator - Thursday 9 th June 2016

‘Maths may be difficult but not impossible’  Self motivation - build on your strengths and work on your weaknesses.  Perseverance - struggle and frustration are a natural part of learning maths so make every effort to see mistakes and setbacks as learning opportunities to improve.  Resilience and grit - keep working hard even when the going gets tough.

Assessment  Pupils have previously and will continue to be regularly assessed by completing End of Unit Tests (based on past GCSE questions)  Mock exams  All results (% and grade) will be recorded on your son/daughters student guide as well as test papers put into their folders for you to see and discuss with your child

Supporting Your Child - Equipment  The following equipment is required for all lessons and exams Scientific Calculator Black pen Pencil Rubber Ruler 360º protractor Pair of Compasses Pencil Sharpener Highlighter pen

Supporting Your Child – In school  Morning registration lessons offered to targeted groups to revise topics and learn good exam techniques  Lunchtime homework/classwork club  Student guides containing topic lists  Exercise books containing key points to a topic and model examples  First Attempt In Learning books (FAIL)  Topic-based questions put into student folders  Past practice papers

Exam Technique

 Question Have you included all the information in the question onto the diagram before you attempt the question? Circle key words/identify meanings - word associations  Method Have you clearly shown your calculations? Is your method set out in a logical order? Have you given explanations for any values you have used? Look at the number of marks as a guide to how much working out is required.  Answer Is it sensible? E.g. A man running 75mph as an answer! Have you rounded appropriately? (3 sf unless told otherwise) Have you given the units for your answer e.g area = cm 2 or m 2, etc

Supporting Your Child - Revision  AQA on-line textbook (student access codes will be provided by the school via )  MyMaths Learning resource to consolidate and practise skills Login = chester1, Password = integer → Choose either Number, Algebra, Shape or Data → Topic → Lesson.  GCSE past papers  Collins Revision Guide + Exam Practice Workbook (£4 from the school shop)  Recommended websites Corbettmaths Mr Barton Maths

After-School Revision Classes  In the past staff have run classes on the build up to the final exam on a voluntary basis.  Pupils will hear from their classroom teacher if such an arrangement is to take place

GCSE Results 2015 MATHEMATICS  A*-C = 77.4 % (Boys = 77.1%, Girls = 77.7%)  A*/A - 26% STATISTICS  A*-C = 100 %  A*/A - 90%