Remove and 5th Form CurriculumIn the two years leading to Edexcel GCSE some familiar topics are re-visited and explored and, in addition, pupils tackle completely new areas which build their knowledge base and extend their understanding. The ability of each pupil to respond orally to questions about Mathematics, discuss mathematical ideas, carry out mental calculations and to investigate open ended problems will continue to be developed. During the Removes and the Fifth Form we hope to show that Mathematics is not an arbitrary collection of disconnected items, but has a coherent structure in which the various parts are inter-related. Furthermore, we will emphasise the need to set out mathematical work, including the solution of problems, in a logical and clear form using appropriate symbols and terminology.The depth of treatment, range of topics covered and pace of work is tailored to suit pupils’ particular needs; this results in teaching aimed at different tiers of entry and with different potential grades across seven sets.
Coursework tasks, which assess pupils’ ability to use and apply Mathematics, will contribute 20% to the final mark: 10% for a statistics project and 10% for a problem solving ‘investigation’. Each one lasts for approximately two weeks of lessons and preps. The statistics project is designed to allow pupils the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and understanding of statistics. The investigations allow pupils to:
The best preparation for A Level Mathematics is undoubtedly to undertake the GCSE course and to follow the Additional Mathematics programme which comprises of topics chosen from the pure A Level Mathematics syllabus as well as an entire separate GCSE in Statistics which both helps the Handling Data coursework and is a good preparation for A Level. In addition, some pupils in set 2 who obtain an ‘A’ or higher at GCSE go on to complete A Level Mathematics successfully. However, pupils not in sets 1 or 2 but still taking the Higher Tier GCSE papers may, in individual cases, also go on to A Level Mathematics. It is exceptional for pupils to go to A Level from a set other than 1 or 2; in such cases pupils will need to take advice from the Head of Mathematics about their suitability for A Level.
