gce MathEMATICS

Taught Online with live classes

Specification: CAMBRIDGE CIE 9709

Description

The Cambridge A Level Pure Maths syllabus is designed to prioritise the learning of mathematical knowledge in this fundamental and essential subject. Skills are then developed to empower pupils to employ the knowledge gained. The syllabus builds on the IGCSE knowledge, skills and understanding. This confidence and knowledge, understanding and skills are then used to problem solve and interpret / present results. Pure Mathematical concepts gained form the syllabus develop reasoning and communication skills to enable exam success and entry to university or employment..

The Cambridge A Level Pure Mathematics course will be followed, which is a fully accredited internationally recognised qualification.

The course is assessed officially through exams at the end of the year 11 academic year, but there will also be continuous assessment during term time by way of in-class tests.

The subject providies a basis for further study, in mathematics and in particular the sciences and engineering.

Assessment

Teacher assessments are continuous during LIVE TAUGHT lessons, marking of coursework and assignments and summative tests.

Homework

Homework will be given at the end of each week, usually in the form of problems to solve, researching key concepts.

Reporting

Parents have 24 /7 access to all of their children's coursework. Additionally the school holds 3 parent consultations per year - one each term.

COURSE OUTLINE

The mathematics course here at CHS will focus on the development of key mathematical skills that will prove useful in all aspects of life, concentrating on the application of maths to other key life skills. The course will also provide a strong basis for further study at university. An understanding of numbers, patterns and relationships will be developed and key problem-solving skills emphasised. By the end of their studies, students will be able to confidently communicate and reason using mathematical concepts.

Sixth Form College

Class sizes will be small, no more than 8 students. A typical lesson will consist of time lecturing and discussing key concepts, in which the student will be expected to take notes and engage in the discussion, alongside time spent answering questions and solving problems, both alone and working with the rest of the class. The problems will come from a variety of sources including past exam papers and textbooks.

Homework will be set weekly and should be completed promptly and scanned and uploaded for marking where possible.

All course information and material will be disseminated via the online platform Moodle, which will also serve as a subject forum and message board whereby students can engage in discussion and can ask the teacher and each other questions.

Equipment

A scientific calculator is mandatory. The lessons will be delivered via the WizIQ virtual classroom, which consists of a virtual whiteboard that both students and the teacher can write upon. In mathematics, drawing diagrams and handwriting calculations is key to learning, so all students will be required to purchase a graphics tablet and stylus pen in order to be able to answers problems on the whiteboard.

Students will be expected to take notes so a lined paper will be also be necessary, alongside a ruler, protractor and drawing compass. A printer and scanner will also be useful.

This course aims to encourage you to:

1. develop your understanding of mathematics and mathematical processes in a way that promotes confidence and fosters enjoyment
2. develop abilities to reason logically and to recognise incorrect reasoning, to generalise and to construct mathematical proofs
3. extend your range of mathematical skills and techniques and use them in more difficult unstructured problems
4. develop an understanding of coherence and progression in mathematics and of how different areas of mathematics can be connected
5. recognise how a situation may be represented mathematically and understand the relationship between real world problems and standard and other mathematical models, and how these can be refined and improved
6. use mathematics as an effective means of communication
7. acquire the skills needed to use technology such as calculators and computers effectively, to recognise when such use may be inappropriate, and to be aware of limitations
8. develop an awareness of the relevance of mathematics to other fields of study, to the world of work and to society in general
9. take increasing responsibility for your own learning and the evaluation of your own mathematical development

Recommended Reading Material

Lower School

Nothing mandatory as we expect the lessons to be self-contained, but some recommended textbooks are the CGP KS3 Maths Workbook & Study Guides and Collins KS3 Workbooks.

Upper School

Nothing mandatory as we expect the lessons to be self-contained, but the officially recommended textbook to support the IGCSE course is the Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics Core and Extended Third Edition, which contains all the information and practice questions necessary to pass the exam.