Exams
Public Examinations
All students in years ten and eleven are entered for courses that result in external certification; G.C.S.E. and Entry Level Certificate. In order to ascertain which course a student will take the department applies a selection process. This takes into account percentile ranking from individual testing, mock examination results and teacher assessments. Students are then grouped and taught in line with the criteria of the course for which they have been entered.
A Brief Guide to GCSE Mathematics at FrewenCollege
(Given to parents when pupils enter Year 10)
Note: Not all our students take the G.C.S.E. qualification. Please check your child’s I.E.P.
Your son / daughter is currently studying for a GCSE qualification in Mathematics. Students at Frewen College follow a modular programme at Foundation level.
Foundation Level
This allows students to gain a GCSE in Mathematics – grades C to G. The foundation level excludes the ‘higher level’ topics, therefore reducing the stress and workload on the students in our care, whilst enabling them to gain up to a grade C at GCSE.
Modular Programme
Students study for and sit formal external examinations in modules over the two year period (years ten and eleven).
Module 3 – Number and algebra [exams June of Year 10]
Module 1 – Handling Data [exams November of Year 11]
Module 5 – Certification module: number and algebra + shape, space and measure [exams June of year 11]
For further information regarding the weighting of the different modules and the durations of examination papers, visit the AQA examination board website – easily found via google.
Re-taking modules
Modules one and three, taken earlier in the course (see dates above), can be re-taken by individuals if necessary, thus enabling the students to work towards achieving their overall optimum grade. Students will be informed within school of their grade after each module examination.
Revision and Independent Study
As with all academic examinations the grade achieved is, in most cases, a reflection of the effort that has been put in by the individual student. Students in both years ten and eleven need to realise that they will improve their chances of achieving a good grade at GCSE if they put in extra independent effort. This can take the form of reading and re-reading revision chapters in the green CPG revision guides available in school, practicing mathematical concepts covered on-line (for example on the BBC Bite Size Revision website) or exploring some of the wide range of GCSE revision material available in high street stores - revision does not have to stop when ‘PREP’ stops!
