Navigating the GCSE to A-Level Transition: Overcoming Challenges and Succeeding in Advanced Education
10/07/23
03/09/17
Changes to Maths GCSE Curriculum Explained:
A guide for pupils and parents
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June 2017 saw the first cohort of pupils sitting the new GCSE maths curriculum. These pupils have been studying the revised specification since September 2015, but due to the rapidity of changes, you may not yet be fully abreast of the reforms. We’ve done the hard work for you and condensed a wealth of technical information to the following brief guide.
The changes in a nutshell…
GCSE Mathematics is set to contain more content at a higher level (cue groans from teenagers everywhere!). Beyond this, the nature of the examinations is changing also, with pupils required to memorise additional formulae (that were previously provided on a cheat-sheet at the front of the exam) and a greater emphasis on application of mathematics / solving non-routine problems , potentially putting an end to those who pass maths exams by cramming numerous practice papers at the last minute, and simply repeating the techniques on exam day, with little real understanding of what they are doing.
In order to examine this new larger-harder-meaner GCSE, pupils will now sit 4.5 hours of exams (up from 3.5 hours previously). This is being split by most exam boards as three papers of 1.5 hours each; two with a calculator and one without.
There are still two tiers of papers being offered for maths GCSE. Pupils sitting foundation tier will be able to achieve a maximum grade of 5, while the higher tier paper will cover grades 4-9. As you’ve likely already spotted, questions targeting grade 4/5 pupils will appear on both papers.
There are several reasons for these changes. The first is to bring the UK GCSE in line with standards internationally. The second is to ensure that pupils are better prepared for post-16 study, be that A Levels (which are reforming) or Universities, which are now having a larger say on the content of KS4/KS5 exams.
I’m following so far, got any more details?
As you might imagine, there’s going to be a fairly thorough reshuffle of topics in order to deliver this new syllabus. Here’s the lowdown:
| Topics moving from AS Level to 9-1 GCSE Higher Tier |
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| Topics moving from old Higher Tier to 9-1 GCSE Foundation Tier |
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| Topics new to both tiers |
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| Topics now omitted from GCSE maths |
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Will there still be resists?
Resit opportunities will still exist in both November, and in the following May/June exam series. In fact, anyone continuing in post-16 education will be required a ‘good’ pass in GCSE maths and English, and will have a compulsory resit if they have not yet achieved this (whether this will be a grade 4 or 5 is still up for debate!)
What about the change-haters, what are they saying?
Here at Manning’s Tutors, we love maths, and believe that these changes will bring about a positive engagement with the subject. However, we also believe in pupils benefiting from a varied and engaging school curriculum, encompassing diverse subjects in both academic and creative fields.
There are concerns that the additional pressures on schools to deliver this bigger-badder-GCSE might lead to other subjects falling by the wayside. Not to mention the fact that there is a shortage of qualified maths teachers in the UK capable of teaching the material (1 in 5 UK schools currently has a maths teacher vacancy).
This is where Manning’s Tutors can help. In addition to our individual tuition options, we also support schools and academies to deliver course content and support pupils through their examinations.
Wow, sounds like I need to get practicing
Indeed you do. Here’s some handy links to the sample papers published by the exam boards
Edexcel GCSE Maths 9-1 Sample Papers (3 x 1.5 hour papers)