All students are required to study GCSE Mathematics at a level that is appropriate to their ability. Students all study for Mathematics GCSE based on an OCR syllabus.

All students are entered for OCR Syllabus J516 which has 2 levels of entry : Foundation and Higher. The final decision regarding entry is not made until January of Year 11.

The GCSE course consists of modular examinations, two pieces of coursework and a terminal examination. Module examinations are taken in January Year 10, June Year 10 and January Year 11. The best two marks from these papers are carried forward to the final grade. Each module represents 15% of the final mark; coursework represents 20% and the terminal examination represents 50% of the final grade.

Each module test targets a pair of grades, for example Module 10 targets A* and A. For this reason, it is important that students revise thoroughly for each module. The module examinations last for one hour and the terminal examination lasts for two hours. Half of each examination will be without a calculator whilst students will need a scientific calculator for the other half of the examination.

All students are encouraged to have their own calculator throughout the course so that they can learn how to use them efficiently. Use of ICT is incorporated into lessons. This may involve work on the lap-top computers and lessons involving graphical calculators.

The course aims to give students confidence in their mathematical ability. We also aim for them to enjoy their lessons. With this in mind, different teaching styles are adopted by all teachers. Students are encouraged to discuss their ideas, take part in aired or group work and use the mathematics that they learn and apply it to problem solving activities. In order to succeed, it is important that students practise the skills acquired in lessons by regularly competing the homework set.

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