6. Additional important information
The New Curriculum by Trish Kreft Changes to GCSE mathematics
As you are probably very much aware already, there are changes afoot with a new GCSE maths and English curriculum: changes in content, grading and examination style. These changes take place from September 2015, for two year programmes, with first examinations taking place in the summer of 2017.
The new GCSE English Curriculum
The changes to the new curriculum for English depends upon the Awarding Body you are using. Here is the link to AQA for example where the changes are simplified and fully explained.
http://www.aqa.org.uk/supporting-education/policy/gcse-and-a-level-changes/changes-in- your-subject/english-changes/new-gcses
The new GCSE Mathematics Curriculum
It is anticipated that a greater amount of teaching and learning time will be allocated to mathematics specifically to reflect the new syllabus. There will still be two tiers – foundation and higher – but some of the content currently associated with the higher tier will now be tested at foundation level. This applies to such topics as standard form, factorising quadratics, simultaneous equations, trigonometry and kinematics.
There is less change to the higher topics, although equations of a circle and exponential graphs have found their way into the specification.
The grading system is also changing for GCSE maths and English, from the current lettering system to numbered grades (9 to 1, with 9 being the highest) and there will still be some overlapping of grades: higher grades 4 – 9; foundation 1- 5. This grading will not exist for all other GCSEs so there will be an issue in communicating this difference with employers. Calculator and non-calculator papers will still exist. The jury is still out on the C grade equivalent but at the time of writing it is considered a grade 5 will be the minimum level of attainment expected to be proficient.
There is a greater emphasis on reasoning and problem solving and this will be reflected in the exam questions. Some examples have already been posted on websites and it is worth checking out the various awarding bodies for their individual guidance. Some have already posted exemplar examination papers, which are worth a look. There will also be an emphasis upon
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