Dear Parents/Carers of Year 11 Students
Today saw the release of the advance information on the GCSE Mathematics exam due to being taken in the Summer of 2022. This was part of the mitigations set out in the Autumn term that were designed to allow the summer exam series to go ahead fairly.
Advance Information
In the following document ( Year 11 Parent Letter – GCSE Mathematics )the exam board sets out the topics that are due to be assessed on each of the two tiers of Mathematics paper, Foundation and Higher. This is expressed for each individual paper and subsequently for each tier. There is ultimately a wealth of information presented in this document that can support your son or daughter to achieve their best, if used correctly.
Over the following weeks, we will be working with students to help them identify how they can use the advanced information to ensure their revision is as effective as possible. We have already taken steps to ensure the curriculum we plan to deliver in lessons between now and Easter match the topics that will be assessed in their final papers.
Sparx
We have recently participated in a trial of a new and improved online learning platform, Sparx maths. For students in Years 7 to 10, this will become their homework, replacing the Hegarty Maths site that we have used for the last 3 years. For Year 11 students we will use the site to ensure all topics identified in the advanced information are practiced through homework. By supplying the advanced information to the platform we have created homework that, between now and the GCSE exams, is directly linked to the topics due to be assessed.
We have generated 15 hours worth of homework, broken down into 1 hour chunks for each week. This feature is called ‘Compulsory Homework’. Each chunk can be completed at any point during that week and their progress is monitored as a simple percentage. There is potential for motivated students to access a further 15 hours through additional tasks. This feature is named ‘XP Boost’ and ‘Target’ This will help students to achieve higher grades.
The site will keep you updated on the progress of your child towards the goal of completing the 15 hours via email. It is thoroughly recommended that students seeking to achieve their predicted grades complete their 1 hour per week in the lead up to their exams. Students will receive information on how to gain access to the website via email today.
The advanced information allows students, that engage with it, to complete their Maths GCSE confidently. Students who do not use this information will be at a significant disadvantage. I ask for your support in ensuring your child is aware of this information and begins to work on this at the earliest opportunity.
Yours sincerely
Mr J Bacon
Assistant Headteacher
james.bacon@hdhs.school
