Double Award GCSE Mathematics Exemplification

Background

The decision to move to a double award for GCSE Mathematics presents a window of opportunity for an improved mathematics provision at this level.

There are various ways in which a double award can be organised and some of these would not result in any significant improvement on the present system. The work presented here stems from a conviction that it will only be possible to decide on the most advantageous approach when a number of models are developed in considerable detail. To choose a model without that level of information would be no more than a thought experiment, albeit one influencing the futures of millions of young people.

This work is presented by MEI and builds on ideas presented in the report “Delivering Curriculum Pathways in Mathematics”, written for QCA in 2005. It illustrates the model which MEI believe to be most appropriate. All the MEI professional staff have contributed to it, as well as two external consultants, in total some 11 mathematicians, all of whom are experienced in curriculum development work.

MEI is a registered charity and this work has been undertaken at its own expense, in accordance with its charitable aim of improving the quality of mathematical education in this country.

Exemplification

The exemplification can be downloaded here. Please contact the MEI office if you would like these files provided on a CD.

Section A
Rationale, Principles, Outline of the design, Delivery, Comparison with the present provision, Points for discussion

Section B
Scheme of assessment

Section C
Exemplar examination papers (see table below)

Section D
Syllabuses