Getting the best possible grade in maths – yrs 9 & 10Mr J FlavellLearning Leader for Maths

Growth Mindset

If you hear your child saying

I can’t do this…

Tell them to say

I can’t do this

yet…

If you hear your child saying

I’m no good at

this…

Tell them to say

I can become

better at this…

If you hear your child asking

What grade

did I get?

They should ask

What can I do

to improve…?

Practicalities

Ensuring that all pupils have a maths set and a scientific calculator

We recommend Casio fx83

Examinations – Year 9

Pupils will sit the following national numeracy tests in MayProcedural Numeracy

Numerical Reasoning

Examinations – Year 9

We are also introducing ‘End of Year Mathematics assessments’ at the end of each academic yearThis is to help pupils develop exam techniques

Examinations – GCSE

Pupils complete two GCSEqualifications:

GCSE Numeracy

GCSE Mathematics

Exams – Numeracy & Mathematics GCSE

Both qualifications involve two exam papers Non-calculator Calculator

There is no coursework element to either qualification

Both qualifications can be sat at one of three tiers: Foundation (Grades G to D) Intermediate (Grades E to B) Higher (Grades D to A*)

GCSE exams

We envisage that some (or all) pupils may have their first opportunity to sit these GCSE exams at the end of Year 10 However, as this is a new specification that has not yet

been sat this is to be confirmed

Be assured that we will seek the best possible exam entry strategy to help your child be successful

Revision

Revision provided by school

Please ensure that pupils complete any homework and revision questions provided by their teacher

This is essential – but is only the first step

Revision lists provided by school

All pupils have a copy of a ‘Learning Log’Essentially a revision list for their exams

A copy of this for both Year 9 & 10 is available on the ‘Parent Download’ Section of the school website

Learning Log given to all pupils in Key Stage 3

Level 5 Level 6

NUMBER & ALGEBRA□ Multiply and divide by 10, 100 and 1000□ Order, add and subtract negative numbers□ Add, subtract, multiply and divide with 2

decimal places□ Simplify fractions to their lowest terms□ Solve simple ratio and proportion problems□ Work out fractional and percentage parts of

things□ Multiply a 3-digit number by a 2-digit number□ Divide a 3-digit number by a 2-digit number□ Use inverses or estimates to check answers□ Write equations□ Use brackets and BIDMAS accurately□ Use co-ordinates in all 4 quadrants

NUMBER & ALGEBRA□ Order and approximate decimals to solve

problems□ Use trial and improvement methods□ Work out percentage and fractions using

100%□ Use equivalences between fractions, decimals

and percentages□ Calculate using ratios□ Add and subtract fractions with different

denominators□ Find the word rule for the next term of a

sequence□ Find the nth term of a sequence□ Form and solve linear equations□ Represent mappings using algebra□ Use co-ordinates for graphs and interpret

features

Learning Log given to all pupils in Key Stage 4

Higher Tier – Grades A and A*You will also need to master the Intermediate & Foundation Tier Content

NUMBER

□ Be able to use negative fractional indices□ Converting recurring decimals into fractions□ Knowing the difference between rational and

irrational numbers□ Manipulating surds□ Using surds and π in exact calculations□ Simplifying expressions involving surds□ Rationalising the denominator

□ Understanding AER & APR□ Calculating using upper and lower bounds – involving

multiplication and division

Support provided by school

Members of the department are regularly available outside of lessons

Important Note

There are no past papers for the new specification as it has not been examined yet

However, WJEC past papers from 2010 to 2016 are still useful.

Set 1 Pupils should focus on Higher Tier papers

Set 2 Pupils should focus on Foundation papers firstly (these cover up to grade C) and then Higher tier once comfortable with the foundation papers

Sets 3 – 5 Pupils should focus on Foundation papers

Important Note – Revision Guides

At the current time there does not seem to be any published revision guides for the new GCSE Mathematics and Numeracy exams in Wales Old revision guides are still useful – but there will be slight differences

between the old and new exams

There is some extra content in the new exams that was not in the old exams

Any revision guides that talk of ‘Grades 9 to 1’ are for exams in England. These may still be useful but again caution is needed

Independent Revision – Year 9 National Numeracy Tests

The following website contains support materials for the national numeracy tests: Numeracy counts

Independent Revision - GCSE

Many websites we recommend are listed in the booklet (with further guidance of how to use them):BBC Bitesize NumeracyBBC Bitesize MathematicsMrbartonmaths.com Jones the sumCorbett MathsDiagnostic Questions

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