Mathematics : Foundation GCSE

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Whether you are working in an office, restaurant, beauty salon or on a farm or construction site, it is likely that good numeracy will help you do your job well. Since numerical skills are so important in the workplace, the government require students to keep studying Maths until they achieve a Grade 4. Hence, students who attained a Grade 3 in GCSE Maths at school must study GCSE Maths until they attain at least a Grade 4. You won’t be on your own: we will provide all the support we can to help you achieve that coveted Grade 4.

What will I study in Mathematics : Foundation GCSE?

We use the Edexcel syllabus and all students who attained a grade 3 at school will study the Foundation level specification, which gives students access to grade 5 (a "good pass").
Since this is a revision course, we cover the content quickly, finishing the full content in one year.
For students who demonstrate that they are almost ready to sit the exam when they arrive in September, there is the opportunity to enter for the November exam.

It will all be familiar from school :-)

Topics will include:

Number
Algebra
Geometry
Statistics & Probability

Entry Requirements

Grade 3 in GCSE Maths

How will I learn?

When learning Maths, you need to do lots of practice questions to help embed the techniques and concepts, so this is what we do in lessons.

In the autumn term, we will focus on the bigger topics that run throughout the syllabus, such as percentages, ratio and solving equations.

Early in the Spring term, we will start to focus more on exam-style questions before getting fully immersed in completing past exam papers in the second half of the Spring term (from March onwards). If you are familiar and confident with the past exam papers, then you will be in an excellent position to pass the real exams.

We use mixed questions at the start of lessons to help you remember a variety of previously learnt skills.

How will I be assessed?

3 exams at the end of the course: 1 non-calculator paper; 2 calculator papers.

Each paper is 90 minutes.

There will be a formal mock exam in February to help you become familiar with the process of sitting exams at Cirencester College.

From March onwards, we will be completing lots of past exam papers both in and out of class as part of the revision to ensure you're well prepared for the final exams in May/June.

Any trips?

In previous years we have taken part in a South West competition which could result in the winning pair visiting Bristol City stadium as part of the regional final.

Are there any costs involved?

Much like when you were at school, you will need to have a geometry set (ruler, protractor, compasses) as well as a pen, pencil and eraser.

You are also expected to have a scientific calculator such as the Casio FX-83GT CW or FX-85GT CW. We will use these every lesson. If you haven't got one from school and need to buy one, it will cost approximately £15.

FAQs

What grades can I get?

The grades available at foundation level are 1 to 5.

Grade 4 is considered a 'pass', and what is required by many employers and university courses. We'll do what we can to help you get a grade 4!

Can I do the Higher GCSE paper?

There is a Higher GCSE Mathematics course you can study if you have already attained at least a grade 4. The Higher course is intended for those students who have achieved at least a grade 4 already and are either studying a course (e.g. Engineering) which requires a lot of mathematical skills or need a higher grade when applying to university (e.g. to study Psychology at a Russell Group university). Talk to us if you feel that this would be appropriate for you.

Can I take the exam in November?

If you make a good effort when completing the Flying Start Summer Homework and perform well in the Initial Assessment Test, then you will be invited to sit the exam in November. In order to improve your chances of performing well in the Initial Assessment Test, you should revise by doing some past exam papers (which can be found on MathsGenie.co.uk).

How long do I need to keep studying GCSE Maths for?

According to the UK government funding rules that govern how we run the College, students in post-16 education who are under 19 on 1st September of the academic year in question must study GCSE Maths (and/or English) until they have attained a grade 4. In practice, this means that if a student attends Cirencester College for 3 years (without any break between secondary school and College), they will be expected to study Maths alongside their main studies until they attain a grade 4 or above.