Mathematics
THE CORE CURRICULUM – GCSE MATHEMATICS
Aim of the course
“Maths is for everyone. It is diverse, engaging and essential in equipping students with the right skills to
reach their future destination, whatever that may be.” – AQA
At BOA Digital we have designed the curriculum to ensure key skills and knowledge from the national curriculum are embedded into our schemes of work, and we use technology and quality first teaching to enhance learners experience and support their progress in this subject. The course offers students opportunities to gain skills in problem solving, numeracy, literacy and above all resilience where students will learn to apply their skills in different contexts that link to real life and digital problems.
GCSE Mathematics will provide students with the opportunity to gain a wide range of mathematical and problem-solving skills that are required across their education and in future employment. The mathematical techniques covered in the course support the development of the mathematical ideas of Conceptual Understanding, Procedural Fluency, Strategic Competence, Adaptive Reasoning and a Productive Disposition.
Programme of Study:
The GCSE is grouped into topic areas covering:
- Number
- Algebra
- Geometry & Measures
- Ratio, Proportion and Rates of Change
- Probability
- Statistics
Students have been exposed to all six areas throughout their Key Stage 3, as our spiralling curriculum allows students to build secure concepts upon foundations built and developed year on year. Students are exposed to a range of Mathematical content and skills that they can apply in their own real life (for example financial maths) as well as elements that can be transferred across the curriculum to areas such as Science and Computing. We ensure that students understand the importance of numeracy in their educational journey and give them the knowledge and language skills to be able to speak like confident Mathematicians.
How will it be assessed?
This course is linear and is assessed through written examination.
GCSE Mathematics has a Foundation Tier (grades 1 – 5) and a Higher Tier (grades 4 – 9). Decisions about
student entry level will be made throughout the course based on trial examinations and in-class
assessment.
Students will sit 3 papers at the end of the course:
| Paper 1: Non-calculator | Paper 2: Calculator | Paper 3: Calculator |
|---|---|---|
|
Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes 80 marks Calculator not allowed 33⅓% of the GCSE Mathematics assessment |
Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes 80 marks Calculator allowed 33⅓% of the GCSE Mathematics assessment |
Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes 80 marks Calculator allowed 33⅓% of the GCSE Mathematics assessment |
| A mix of question styles, from short, single-mark questions to multi-step problems. The mathematical demand increases as a student progresses through the paper. | ||
Possible careers associated with this subject:
Management Consultant, Geophysicist, Software Developer, Medical Physicist, Logistics, Computer Games Programmers, Civil Engineer, Research Scientist, Quality Control Technology Reporter.
Mathematics GCSEs are required by the majority of employers and educators – with most courses and A levels at Further Education requiring a minimum of grade 4/5 at GCSE to join, and job descriptions often label this as an essential requirement. Employers value people joining the workforce with strong Mathematical skills and qualifications. Mathematics can ensure students can take advantages of opportunities in a wide range of sectors including Digital roles, Engineering, Finance, Science and Medicine, working in Business, Data and Analysis, Accountancy, Software Development, Education and many more.