GCSE Maths Foundation Tier (L00042-121304)

Course Overview:

This course follows the AQA Foundation Tier syllabus 4360. It is a modular syllabus suitable for the post-16 student. The tier of Assessment is C - G. There is no coursework. This is a busy and comprehensive course with a final written examination.

Entry Requirements:

In order to enrol onto this course you need to have established maths skills at Level 1 as a minimum. If you have recently (within the last three academic years) achieved a Grade D in GCSE Maths then this will be accepted as an appropriate standard, otherwise we will give you an online initial assessment when you come for an interview.

You will also need to have good English speaking, listening, reading and writing skills (ideally at Level 2).

Course Content:

This GCSE Maths Syllabus is comprised of three separate units as follows:

Unit 1 – Statistics and Number assesses skills in statistics and probability. Some appropriate aspects of Number Theory are also incorporated. Where appropriate these skills are assessed within contexts relevant to everyday life.
This Module accounts for 26.7% of your overall final mark and Grade.

Unit 2 – Number and Algebra concerns all of the number topics such as the 4 operations, Ratio, Fractions, Percentages and Standard Form of a number amongst others. This unit concentrates on aspects of Number which can be tested without a calculator. It also focuses on aspects of Algebra, such as manipulating and solving equations, wherein a calculator is not required. This Module accounts for 33.3% of your overall final mark and Grade.

Unit 3 – Geometry and Algebra assesses the more traditional areas of Mathematics such as Algebra, Shape and Measure. This includes Area and Volume, the Pythagoras Theorem, Trigonometry, Simultaneous Equations, Lines and many other topics which will undoubtedly be familiar to you. The focus is on all of the geometry and measures content as well as areas of Algebra where a calculator is required and graphical methods in algebra. This is the larger Module and accounts for 40% of your final mark and Grade. Your tier of entry on this Module determines your final tier of entry. Please note your tutor will determine your level of entry for this Module.

Assessment Methods:

For Unit 1, the assessment is managed through 1 x 1-hour written paper; you are expected to use a calculator for this paper. You will sit this exam in Spring 2013 on one weekday. The date and time will be confirmed for you on course. Unit 2 is assessed through one written paper which is for 1 hour and 15 minutes. This is a non-calculator paper and will be scheduled during June 2013. Unit 3 is assessed through a 1 hour and 30 minute paper. Each unit exam is scheduled on a separate day in June 2013. You will have the option of re-sitting Unit 1 in June 2013. Your tutor will discuss this option with you as appropriate.

Additional Information:

You should be aware that although this is a Foundation Tier course, we only deliver material up to Grade C. Because of the limited time available to deliver a wide ranging and complex syllabus, we will spend time in the class concentrating on the material which will enable you to achieve a High Grade up to C. Please be aware that there is a significant level of commitment required of you in order to successfully complete this course.

If you would like more information on course fees and how to get additional help to pay for them, please click here

Bring To First Class:

You will need the following equipment:
• Writing pad and selection of pens
• Mathematical tool kit
• New GCSE Maths AQA Modular Student Book Foundation 1 by Brian Speed et al, published by Collins ISBN 9780007340126
• New GCSE Maths AQA Modular Student Book Foundation 2 by Brian Speed et al, published by Collins ISBN 9780007340164.
• Scientific calculator – preferably one of the Casio FX series which will cost in the region of c£9.00 – though if you already have a Scientific calculator, it should suffice for the course. Please discuss this with your tutor.

You need to bring these resources with you to each session unless directed by the tutor.

Attendance:

Regular attendance is important. We also ask that you are punctual for each session. You should also be aware that the examinations linked to this course are a compulsory aspect of the course. When you sign the learning agreement with the college you are agreeing to attend each week, be punctual and sit the examinations. Please see FAQs.

Further Study and Career Opportunities:

GCSE Maths at Grade C is an entry requirement for a significant number of HE courses and in particular Teacher Training courses. It is also a qualification required and sought by a significant number of employers.

How to Enrol:

Please ensure you have fully read this information sheet first.

This course needs tutor approval before you can enrol.

You will need to complete an Application Form and email it to iag@racc.ac.uk

The Information, Advice and Guidance team (IAG team) will contact you to arrange an interview.

If you are aged between 16-18 please complete the Young Person’s Application Form and return it to (fern-chantele.carter@racc.ac.uk)

Note: 16-18 learners refers to learners born between 1.9.93 – 31.8.96 inclusive.

Frequently Asked Questions:

“How much homework will I need to do outside of class?”
You should allow at least 6 hours per week outside of class time to concentrate on homework. This will include research and preparing assignments. This course is continuous, and each week the tutor will progress through the material which comprises the syllabus. Because of the demands of the course, there is limited time for the tutor to spend on each topic. This is why it is important for you as a learner to keep up with the homework and to work as a pro-active learner in the classroom; contributing in a positive and constructive manner and asking questions when you are unsure. Your tutor will collect, mark and return your homework to you with comments to help and guide you with your study.


“What will happen if I miss a class?
You should endeavour to attend all sessions. However, if you are unable to attend the tutor will make the materials available through MOODLE. We will also encourage you at the start of the course to work with another learner and ask him/her to be a study buddy; someone in particular whose notes you can copy on your return and who will collect materials from the tutor for you when you are absent.

“When will the exams take place?”
The examinations are scheduled to take place in June 2013. The Modules are examined through non-calculator based and calculator based written papers. These examinations are run by the college on prearranged days and times. These dates and times are set by a range of external bodies and as such are non-negotiable. The examinations are normally scheduled on a week day and as such you may need to make arrangements with work or family for these days. Your tutor will inform you of these dates as early as possible on the course to enable you to make any necessary arrangements. The examinations will take place in the college. It is your responsibility to ensure that you arrive on time with the necessary Mathematical tools you need as well as current and valid identification.

“Is there any tutorial support on the course?”
No. However, the college does offer a Revision course which is scheduled in Term 3. There are also Mock Examination Days scheduled in Term 3. These additional courses will further support you in your preparation for the final examinations in June 2013.

If you have declared a specific learning difficulty/ disability, you will be offered an interview with our additional learning support co-ordinator, who may arrange 1:1 tutorials with a learning support tutor, or other support.

Outside of your class time, contact time with the course tutor is minimal. Material will be uploaded onto our online learning environment, MOODLE, and you should use this platform to communicate with the tutor and other learners during the course. This will be discussed with you at the start of your course. Access to a computer outside of class time would be an advantage.

“But I am no good at Maths!?”
If you meet the entry criteria, then that is a good start! However, you need to have the interest and drive (motivation) to succeed. A significant number of people can succeed, and indeed have succeeded in previous years, on this course even though they thought the same. This is largely because they needed the qualification (a High Grade C or better in GCSE Maths) to gain entry onto another qualification. In other words they had a reason to work and succeed on the course. If you have a particular goal in mind, then although you may not like or be confident with Mathematics, you will succeed if you keep this goal in mind and work through the year as directed by your tutor.

“What if I want to do the course but not take the exams?”
Please do not enrol. This course is available to you free of charge and in this format because of the support from the SFA who are the funding body for the college. They expect us to ensure that all candidates who enrol onto the course do so knowing that the summative examinations are integral to the course. In other words, they expect you to take the examinations as part of the course. Further to this, if you enrol but do not take the examinations you are regarded in the eyes of the SFA and therefore the college as a failure and this can have an adverse effect on our results data (statistics) for the year which in turn affects our funding and the provision we can plan to offer. So it is important that you realise, before you enrol, that there is a significant level of commitment expected of you on this course. If you are interested in developing your Mathematics skills and knowledge without having to face the pressure of these GCSE examinations, you may wish to consider a SfL Entry Level Numeracy course. Please read the course descriptors for these courses on the college website.

“What if I have achieved a Grade C before and I now need a Grade B or higher?”
This course is not suitable for you. You should consider a GCSE Maths Higher Tier course.

Information Advice and Guidance:

You can enrol online, over the phone or in person at either site
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