National News and Updates

Strong links between FS and the renewed Frameworks will be an essential part of the new 11-19 curriculum, as FS impact on the revised GCSEs for English, mathematics and ICT from 2010 and will be a mandatory part of Diplomas from September 2008. Look at http://excellence.qia.org.uk/functionalskills for Teaching and learning functional mathematics. Also take a look at the QCA website for Mathematics in the new secondary curriculum

There are 12 examination boards piloting a wide range of assessment models for the functional skills qualification.

OCR are producing a series of podcasts to answer your questions about functional skills - Click here further information can be found on their website - Click here

30 exemplar tasks listed in alphabetical order can be obtained by clicking here
Additional guidance including detailed commentary of 10 of the tasks can be obtained by clicking here

New Secondary Curriculum February 2008
Key Resources from Subject Leader Development Meeting

The key messages for me were that whilst the content will remain much as it is, there is a need for us to teach pupils the process skills in order to equip them with the tools to solve a range of problems rather than repeat techniques by rote. This will be a slow process and one which I am sure we all welcome. There will moves towards developing links between departments, where for example data collected in a Geography lesson is analysed in a Maths lesson.

Departments should look to plan as a team and to produce lesson plans and units of work to equip the next cohort of Year 7's with the process skills necessary. This might be a focus for Performance Management Targets next year.

For an abbreviated version of the PowerPoints used - Click here
Key Processes in simplified form - Click here

Key Processes in Algebra - Click here
KS3 Programme of Study - Click here
KS4 Programme of Study - Click here
Full set of Mathematics Objectives - Click here
Hundred Square Activity - Click here
Matchstick Activity - Click here
Years 7-9 Mathematical Processes and Application Objectives - Word Version or pdf
Unit Planning Template - Click here
Teaching & Learning Review Template - Click here

Vocational education must be a real option even for our most academic young people

Consistent, effective provision for young people between the ages of 14-19 must become a reality; the economy demands it, says Ofsted chief

The Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) will today publish a package of reports on the education of 14-19 year olds to coincide with a speech by Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Schools, David Bell, at the annual conference of the Association of Colleges (AoC).

Click here for the full article.
Click here for Suffolk Summary document of 14-19 Mathematics courses.