Alternative Course to GCSE Mathematics
Study Plus is being used in high schools to support those who are capable but deemed at risk of not achieving a grade C at GCSE in Maths and English. To view the handbook - Click here
AQA offer Free Standing Maths Qualifications at GCSE Foundation Level and GCSE Higher Level (called Intermediate Level). They are currently trialling a GCSE qualification. The course is based upon the application of mathematical techniques and meets the underlying principles of the functional maths that is soon to be introduced. There are free materials on the fsmq website that I would encourage you to consider integrating into your GCSE Maths scheme - Click here
The following National Open College Network (NOCN) qualifications have accredited by the Qualification and Curriculum Authority (QCA):
-
NOCN Entry Level Award in Financial Literacy (Entry 3) Just below GCSE grade G
-
NOCN Entry Level Certificate in Financial Literacy (Entry 3) Just below GCSE grade G
-
NOCN Level 1 Award in Financial Literacy Lower GCSE grades
-
NOCN Level 1 Certificate in Financial Literacy Lower GCSE grades
For example:
Level
1 Certificate in Financial Literacy
A
basic understanding of how financial responsibility informs
financial practices is a key element in this basic
qualification. It enables learners to consider how they can
begin to make informed decisions based on their personal
circumstances and begin to appreciate how other people may
make different decisions based on their personal circumstances
and their priorities.
Household
Finances
Managing an Account
Local and National Finances
Financing Travel
Saving or Borrowing
Level
3 Certificate in Financial Studies and Diploma in Financial
Studies
ifs
- institute of Financial Services
IFS House, 
Canterbury
,
Foundation
and Intermediate certificates are being piloted this year and
will be available to all from Sept. 2006
The key skills are the skills which are most commonly needed to succeed in
a range of activities – at work, in education and training and in everyday life. In developing the key skill of application of number, you will learn to use and adapt your number skills confidently and effectively in a range of settings and contexts.This could
provide a structure of relevance to the lower achieving students.
It could also provide materials for the whole ability range
and could be used to extend the gifted and talented within
your school.
Click
here to download key skills specification at levels 1
to 4
Click
here to visit the relevant section of the QCA website
and to access additional information including assessment
material
Statistics GCSE
Possible starting point for a SoW can be found by clicking here
One way of enriching the experience of the most able pupils is to enter them for an additional GCSE in Statistics. In my experience this is most effective if the pupils sit the GCSE in Year 10 and then concentrate on their Mathematics GCSE in Year 11. The reasons I believe this are:
1. The
Statistics Coursework can be double entered and so in
effect requires no extra coursework
2. The
additional skills covered mean that pupils can more
easily access the higher coursework marks
3. The
Mathematics GCSE is best sat in Year 11 to allow for
retention of skills for future AS students
4. The
Statistics course prepares students for any Statistics
content of the AS and A2 Mathematics courses
Some pupils have put together some revision notes covering some aspects of the AQA GCSE Statistics Course which can be downloaded by clicking on the relevant topic below:
Scatter
Diagrams
Histograms
Cartesian
Grids
Standard
Deviation
Weighted
Index Numbers - Standard Population - Standardised
Death Rates
Venn
Diagrams 1
Venn
Diagrams 2
Comparative
Pie Charts
Index
Numbers
Spearman's
Correlation Coefficient
Tree
Diagrams