Maths & Numeracy – Options – Prestatyn High School – Denbighshire North Wales

Course Content:

All students in Year 9 follow the National Curriculum course in Mathematics and Numeracy at a level appropriate to their ability. As a result of homework, classwork, teacher assessment and assessment tests during Key Stage 3 each pupil is assigned a place at the appropriate level.

During the GCSE course, pupils build on the maths they have already learned. The course covers topics ranging from how to solve practical problems using maths to equations and formulae, two and three dimensional shapes, probability and handling data.

How you will learn:

Pupils follow the WJEC Mathematics and WJEC Numeracy courses. All maths classrooms have interactive projectors, which are used alongside textbooks and worksheets, and lessons include individual, paired and group work. Students are set homework every week online, as worksheets or past papers.

How you will be assessed:

There are three tiers of entry for both GCSE Mathematics and GCSE Numeracy. Students who intend to study maths at AS/A level need to pass GCSE Mathematics at Grade B or at higher and their suitability for the course will be considered on an individual basis.

All pupils sit both GCSE Numeracy and GCSE Mathematics in the summer. Each examination consists of two written papers - Unit 1 (non calculator) and Unit 2 (calculator).

Higher tier (Grades A*-C) - each examination lasts 1 hour 45mins.

Intermediate tier (grades B-E) each examination lasts 1 hour 45mins.

Foundation tier (Grades D-G) - each examination lasts 1 hour 30 minutes.

It is important that every student has a calculator, protractor, pair of compasses, ruler and pencil, which they should bring to every lesson.

Additional information:

Most jobs require at least basic numeracy; it is difficult to think of a job which never involves the use of numbers. Many employers look for a high grade pass at Maths as a basic entry requirement. For some jobs, such as teaching and nursing, Grade B or above is required.

Skills gained in mathematics and numeracy help people think clearly and precisely and solve problems. Everyone needs to be able to budget money, handle bills, pay rent, etc.

Job ideas:

Practical work in construction crafts, such as tiling, carpentry, shop work, office jobs involving database work and accounts, work in banks, buildings, societies and financial institutions, surveying, engineering, planning.

For further information see: Miss E Morley