Significant changes are taking place in mathematics teaching beginning in September 2010. The curriculum is changing to reflect the requirements of the wider community into which students will pass after leaving school and college. Tasks will become less structured and more functional in nature providing students opportunities to use and apply their mathematical skills in a range of contexts.

The majority of students will sit the AQA modular style course with examinations taking place at specific intervals throughout Years 10 and 11 leading to a final examination in the summer of Year 11. This gives flexibility and the option to resit to improve a unit grade if necessary. For other students who may have changed schools or for other circumstances, the linear style assessment will be available which follows an identical programme of study but all unit examinations are taken in one series.

Students will study three units during Years 10 and 11 and take the following examinations. The weighting of each unit is reflected by the percentage of the total marks.

Unit 1 – Statistics and Number 26.7% of total marks
Unit 2 – Number and Algebra 33.3% of total marks
Unit 3 – Geometry and Algebra 40% of total marks

This differs from the previous model by assessing different combinations of mathematical topics. This gives greater opportunities for students to develop their skills of identifying, reasoning and evaluating and thus improve transference of strategies into real life later on.