Mathematics in Year 10 [August 2018]

Dear Parent(s) of Year 10 students,

Students in Year 10 will formally start the IGCSE Mathematics Cambridge courses. All students will take the IGCSE Mathematics exam at the end of Year 11 and students in classes 1, 2 and 3 will also prepare for the Additional Mathematics IGCSE (Cambridge) where their entrance will be confirmed during Year 11.

It is important that each student follows a pathway that best supports their individual learning needs. We decide Maths groups using several criteria: the unit assessments during Year 9 and the end of Year 9 summative assessment paper supported by teacher recommendations.

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 we will loan students. These classes contain mathematically able students who will cover the work at an advanced pace and will be able to explore extension work.  Most students will also take the IGCSE Additional Mathematics (Cambridge) course which is an additional and more demanding Maths qualification.  Both these public examinations will occur at the end of Year 11.

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 we will loan 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.

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 we will loan 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 small 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.

Maths teachers informed students who are changing sets this year before the end of term.  Students were also informed about their new class.  New sets are confirmed on Gateway.

We will regularly tests students on the material they learn. 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.

Yours faithfully,

Martin Astill

Head of Mathematics