Maths - Working Towards GCSE
Maths - Working towards GCSE
Course description
This course will cover some of the Foundation content of GCSE Mathematics where learners can achieve grades up to 3. The main areas of study are Number, Ratio, Proportion and rates of change, Algebra, Geometry and Measure, Statistics and Probability.
Working towards GCSE Maths courses will be delivered either on site or online. For online classes, you must have easy access to a computer with the internet. Classes will be held twice a week (2.5 hours each).
This course consists of a 3 week IT Fundamentals course at the start to maximise participation in learning using digital tools, followed by 10 weeks Working towards GCSE. The Working Towards GCSE course leads onto GCSE Foundation course starting in January.
Support if you are registered unemployed, looking for a job or a better job - Route to Work
As part of your programme of learning, we will support you to develop the skills you need to get a job or a better job, such as CV writing, application forms, interviews and working in a team. Your tutor will discuss individual learning and development needs to agree with you which of our Route to Work short courses will best suit your needs and enrol you on these modules.
Entry requirements
This course is normally delivered over 2 or 3 years in schools. Therefore, it is necessary that learners have good literacy (at least Level 1) and numeracy skills before starting the course. Ideally, learners should have achieved Level 1 Maths Functional Skills, or Grade D/Grade 3 in GCSE Maths, or similar in an equivalent course (e.g. CSE/’O’ level Maths) in order to complete the course in one year.
Initial assessment
To gain a place on the course, all learners must book an initial assessment by calling BAES Info Line (0121 303 4318) or one of the BAES centres. GCSE initial assessments are generally carried out face-to-face although people can book a remote assessment on Teams/Zoom. Depending on the results of the assessment, learners may be advised to join a course other than Working Towards GCSE.
Learning strategies
It is important that learners attend all sessions and make time to work at home every week in order to prepare, practise and consolidate their learning. The Service has on-line subscriptions to MathsWatch and MyMaths, and learners can access videos, quizzes and other activities on our BAES Moodle site.
Learners will be expected to carry out at least 4 hours of independent study in their own time, every week, to cover all the course content.
Progress monitoring
Learner progress and attendance will be monitored throughout the course. After the first progress check in October, the learner and their teacher will determine whether it is appropriate for the learner to continue with the course. Aspects included in the discussion are attendance, punctuality, ability to cope with the amount of work required and performance on progress checks.
Exams
There will be no exam at the end of the Working Towards GCSE course. Leaners progressing onto GCSE Foundation in January will take three exams in May and June which will be carried out in one of our centres. They will be marked externally by AQA and results will be available in August.
Progression
From the Working Towards GCSE course learners can progress onto GCSE Foundation course in January. A GCSE Grade 4 or higher will open up a variety of career and training opportunities.
Maths - Entry 2 Functional Skills
Maths – Entry 2 Functional Skills
Course Description
This course aims to enable you to build on your previous mathematical knowledge and to increase your understanding, confidence and skill set in order to use mathematics in everyday situations.
This course will cover three main areas of study:
- Using numbers and the number system up to 200 (whole numbers, fractions & decimals).
- Using common measures, shape and space.
- Handling information and data (tables, tally charts and bar charts).
Entry Level 2 Functional skills courses will be delivered in the classroom (face to face) with the following structure:
- September start year-long - one session (2.5 hours per week).
Maths will be taught from the first session of the course. All Entry Level 2 courses include a short IT Fundamentals course at the start to maximise participation in learning using digital tools, a preparation for E2 course to focus and prepare number skills and also a Taster course at the end to help you prepare for the next level.
Route to Work.
As part of your programme of learning, we will support you to develop the skills you need to get a job or a better job. Throughout the year, modules covered include Career Planning, All about Money, and Timesheets and Payslips.
Entry Requirements
Your English skills need to be at Entry level 1 or above, and you need to understand some basic maths concepts.
Initial Assessment
Main courses start in September. To gain a place on a course, you must book an initial assessment by phoning the BAES Info Line (0121 303 4318) or via one of the BAES centres. Functional Skills initial assessments are carried out by a face-to-face assessment at a centre. Depending on the results of the assessment, you may be advised to join a different level or course.
Learning Strategies
In order to cover all of the course content, you will be expected to carry out at least 2 hours of independent study each week.
It is important you attend all required sessions and make time to work at home every week, in order to prepare, practise and consolidate your learning. The Service has an on-line subscription to MyMaths, and you can access videos, quizzes and other activities on our BAES Moodle site.
Progress Monitoring
Your progress and attendance will be monitored throughout the course. After the first progress check, you and your teacher will determine if you can cope with the level and amount of work required, and if you have demonstrated good attendance and punctuality, in order to continue with the course. It may be that a more suitable course is recommended.
Exams
There will be one formal paper-based exam, which will be taken towards the end of the course and will be carried out at one of our BAES centres. The exam will consist of 2 papers: a non-calculator and a calculator paper.
Progression
Maths Functional Skills Entry Level 2 will prepare you for either Preparation for Entry Level 3 or Maths Functional Skills Entry Level 3.
Maths GCSE - Taster
Maths GCSE- Taster
Course Aim
This course is for any learner who is considering starting Maths GCSE in September. The aim of the course is to provide an overview of some fundamental topics covered in GCSE Maths.
Length of Course
One 2½-hour session each week for 3 weeks.
To make the most of this course you will need to attend each session.
Entry Requirements
Although there are no formal entry requirements for the course, you will be required to take an initial assessment which will help determine your suitability to the course.
Course Content
The main topics that will be covered in this course are: Fractions and Algebra.
Learning Strategies
The course is delivered online. You will join online sessions and complete online tasks and assessments. You may be given work to complete outside of the class hours.
Exams
There will be no formal exam at the end of the course, but there will be some informal assessments to check your understanding of the topics.
Other Information
Completion of this course will not lead to an automatic entry into GCSE Maths.
However, at the end of the course you will be offered a chance to sit the GCSE Initial Assessment.
The outcome of the assessment will determine whether you will be suitable to enrol on maths GCSE course, which starts in September.
Maths – Bitesize Courses – Level 1/2
Maths – Level 1/2 (Bitesize)
Course Aim
The course is for any learner (19+) who wishes to find out about a particular maths topic. Courses are aimed at Level 1 & Level 2
Length of Course
One 2½ or 3 hour session.
Course Content
Understanding loan sharks
This course is for adults (19+) who are interested in finding out about the nature of loan sharks, interests rates associated with loans and credit cards and in calculating final costs of loans.
Interest Calculation
This course is for adults (19+) who are interested in finding out how to calculate interest rates on investments and loans, and the difference between simple and compound interest.
Understanding Tax and NI Deductions
This course is for adults (19+) who are interested in finding out how TAX and NI deductions are calculated, and how to calculate what your monthly salary would be, after the deductions.
Money conversion - pound or euro
This course is for adults (19+) who are interested in finding out how to convert between currencies and the difference between buying and selling rates.
Handling Ratios
This course is for adults (19+) who are interested in finding out about the different types of ratio questions, how to share an amount in a given ratio and how to find one part of the ratio when the other part is given.
Learning Strategies
Most of the courses are delivered online. You will join the online session and complete online tasks and assessments. In order to develop further, you may be given work to complete outside of the class hours.
Exams
There will be no formal exam at the end of the session, but there will be an informal assessment to check your understanding of the topic.
Other Information
This course can lead you to joining a Level 1 Functional Skills maths class in September. You will be offered a maths initial assessment in the summer to determine which level is suitable. Please note that completion of this course will not lead to an automatic entry into a functional skills maths course
Maths – Bitesize Courses – Entry level
Maths – Entry level (Bitesize)
Course aim
The course is for any learner (19+) who wishes to find out about a particular maths topic. Courses are aimed at Entry 2 & Entry 3
Length of course
One 2½ hour session.
Course content
Fear not maths
Overcome your maths phobia and embrace the world of mathematics in this bitesize course.
Mental arithmetic
Can you add, subtract, multiply and divide without a calculator? This course includes a variety of methods to improve your mental arithmetic.
Learn times tables
Master the times tables. This course is designed to explore and share different strategies for learning the times tables.
Real world shopping
Are you a bargain hunter? Learn how to navigate best buys, discounts, and sales in real life scenarios.
Real world baking
Learn how mathematics is applied to real life baking. This course aims to introduce aspects of maths, such as measuring, that are used in everyday baking.
Learning strategies
Most of the courses are delivered online. You will join the online session and complete online tasks and assessments. In order to develop further, you may be given work to complete outside of the class hours.
Exams
There will be no formal exam at the end of the session, but there will be an informal assessment to check your understanding of the topic.
Other information
This course can lead you to joining an Entry 2 or Entry 3 Functional Skills maths class in September. You will be offered a maths initial assessment in the summer to determine which level is suitable.
Please note that completion of this course will not lead to an automatic entry into a functional skills maths course
