Mathematics in Year 10 (Aug 2015)
Dear Parent(s) of students going into Year 10,
Mathematics in Year 10 [August 2015]
Students’ mathematical abilities vary widely, so we put students into sets for Mathematics. We decide the set for each student based on the class teacher’s knowledge of the student’s ability, the student’s work in Maths this year and the end of topic tests which the student sits throughout the year. The topics covered next year will be broadly the same in each set, but some sets will go into more detail and extend the work, while others will concentrate more on basic ideas, and will omit some of the more abstract topics. The purpose of this e-letter is to provide you with some details of our setting structure.
Year 10 Set Structure 2015-16
Graphical Calculators
All Year 10 students are required to have the Ti-Nspire CX calculator which was issued last year at the start of Year 9.
Please also note that other examination subjects (such as Science) may not permit the use of graphical calculators. Therefore students should retain the old (non-graphical) scientific calculator that they already possess for use in these examinations.
Sets: 10MA101 / 102
Students in these sets will follow the scheme of work based on the IGCSE International Mathematics Extended level course (0607). The main textbook used is called “IGCSE Cambridge International Mathematics (0607) Extended” (ISBN 978-1-921500-04-6) which will be loaned to students. These classes contain mathematically able students who will cover the work at an advanced pace and will be able to explore some extension work. Most students will also sit the IGCSE Additional Mathematics (Cambridge) course which is an additional and more demanding Maths qualification. Both these public examinations will take place at the end of Year 11.
Sets: 10MA103 / 104 / 105 / 106
Students in these sets will follow the scheme of work based on the IGCSE International Mathematics Extended level course (0607). The main textbook used is called “IGCSE Cambridge International Mathematics (0607) Extended” (ISBN 978-1-921500-04-6) which will be loaned to students. We will carefully monitor students during Year 10, and there are likely to be some changes during the course of the year. A final decision on the level of entry will not be made until early in Year 11.
Sets: 10MA107 / 108
Students in these sets will follow the scheme of work for the Core IGCSE course. This will be based on a new textbook called “Cambridge IGCSE International Mathematics (0607) Core” (ISBN 978-1-921500-22-0), which will be loaned to students. This covers the essential basics, avoiding the more abstract concepts, and forms an excellent preparation for Mathematics IGCSE Core Level. These sets are kept deliberately smaller to allow more teacher contact for those who find the subject particularly difficult. The Core examination at the end of Year 11 offers grades C and below. Students who demonstrate a consistent ability to perform above this level will be promoted to a different class.
Set changes:
Students who are changing sets next academic year have been told by their current class teacher along with which class they are moving into. Once the school’s database has been updated and confirmed at the start of August an email will be sent directly to you confirming your child’s new Mathematics class.
Assessment
During the course of the year students will be assessed by regular tests on the material covered. Consequently, we will be able to see if any students are misplaced, and act accordingly.
Our aim in setting students is to find the set in which a student is most likely to succeed. There is flexibility in the system, and students can be moved at any time. However, we prefer not to move students too much, favouring a stable teacher-student relationship wherever possible. I hope this e-letter will clarify any concerns you may have with regard to your child’s Mathematics set which will be confirmed at the start of the next academic year in August.
Yours faithfully,
Martin Astill
Head of Mathematics
