GCSE (9-1) Maths and Statistics: October 2021 update
This is your October 2021 service update for GCSE (9–1) Maths and Statistics.
Before we dive into the detail, here are some quick need-to-know snippets:
- The timetables for the November 2021 series are now online. Explore the timetables.
- GCSE Maths Mock Set 7 is coming soon (in January 2022)!
- We have new Enhanced Skills Mapping Grids with a supporting document on how to use the performance data. Explore the Enhanced Skills Mapping Grids
And now, to find out more about everything we are continuing to do to support you every step of the way with GCSE Maths and Statistics, simply click on the headings below:
On 30 September, the Department for Education and Ofqual published the outcomes of the consultation on proposed summer 2022 adaptations.
For GCSE Maths, the DfE has decided as a matter of policy, and in view of the disruption caused by the pandemic, that it is not necessary for students to memorise GCSE Maths formulae as they must in a normal year. In light of that policy decision, Ofqual has decided to amend the Conditions and Requirements to require exam boards to provide a formulae sheet in the exams for GCSE Mathematics.
Exam boards will provide copies of the formulae for use in teaching and to ensure that students are familiar with them prior to the exams.
Clean copies of the formulae and equation sheets will be provided in the exams.
The release of the formulae sheet will be confirmed shortly.
For updates, keep an eye on our summer 2022 support page.
On 30 September, the Department for Education and Ofqual published the outcomes of the consultation on proposed summer 2022 adaptations.
For more information on what this means, please visit the summer 2022 support page for the relevant qualification:
We've developed comprehension activities linked to our diversity and inclusion poster series designed to allow each year group to engage in one themed literacy task per term.
These tasks should take no more than 15–20 minutes. They can be used as a starter activity or an end-of-week plenary activity or even embedded within your scheme of learning to promote a particular topic.
We know how important it is to try and develop literacy across the school and hopefully these resources can begin to support you in this task.
If you haven't already seen them, take a look at our new case studies for GCSE Maths and GCSE Statistics:
Read the Yavneh College case study (GCSE Maths)
Read the Phoenix Collegiate case study (GCSE Maths)
Read the Dane Court Grammar case study (GCSE Statistics)
Hopefully you know already that we've produced free Key Stage 3 Maths resources to support you in developing confident, capable mathematicians and to help you ensure your students develop the key skills they need at Key Stage 3.
We've now added to this our exciting Escape Rooms! We've added the Escape Room links to the Key Skills PDFs, but also produced a simple one-page PDF that hosts all three links in one place. We hope you and your students enjoy using these activities as part of their progress.
Find out more and access Key Skills at KS3, including Escape Rooms
We have a whole range of upcoming free events as part of your GCSE Maths and Statistics qualification support. This includes:
- KS3 Maths – Key Skills Escape Rooms and using Edexcel Awards for all learners on 12 October 2021 at 4pm.
- Session 2 - GCSE Maths - Every Learner Counts – Final exam preparation on 19 October 2021 at 4pm.
- Session 3 - GCSE Maths - Every Learner Counts – Internal assessment (mocks) and tiering decisions on 17 November 2021 at 4pm.
- KS3 Maths - Bar modelling for beginners on 3 November 2021 at 4pm.
To book these sessions, and search for further training and events, explore our Professional Development Academy.
Don't forget about the Maths Emporium, a huge bank of resources for all your GCSE Maths and Statistics needs.
To access these materials, explore the Maths Emporium.
Between 5–16 July 2021, we held our first ever Pearson Maths Virtual Festival.
We invited passionate Maths teachers, thought leaders, subject experts, and students to celebrate and explore the power of maths through a series of collaborative discussions and speeches.
Thank you again to those of you who attended the sessions and for the wonderful insights you shared with us across the two-week period. We're looking forward to using these insights to inform our support going forward.
If you missed any of it, the recordings are now available to watch for free on our website.
We've released a new episode of our podcast – Back to School with Bobby Seagull.
Bobby chatted all about maths in the media to podcast host Nicola at our recent Virtual Maths Festival. Now he's back discussing setting yourself up for a successful year ahead to avoid burning out too quickly, using popular culture to promote maths education in a more positive way, and much more on The Right Angle podcast.
Don't forget that you can ask us your questions, and generally keep in contact with @EmporiumMaths on Twitter!