Maths GCSE** Course Full - please see alternative courses** (CL02Q50A)

This course is a Foundation level Maths GCSE completed in one year.
The course will start online and continue in a classroom as soon as Covid-19 government guidelines permit

Course overview

You will develop your mathematical skills leading to the completion of the GCSE Mathematics exams which will take place in May / June 2021.

Where Claverham Community College, North Trade Road, Battle, TN33 0HT.
When Wednesday, 6:30pm - 9:00pm from 16th September 2020 until 26th May 2021 for 31 weeks.

28th October (Half Term), 16th, 23rd, 30th December (Christmas break), 6th January 2021, 17th February (Half Term), 7th, 14th April (Spring break)
Cost The full fee is £0.00.


Additional Costs
If you do not hold an A* - C grade (or grade 4 and above) at GCSE Maths then all necessary equipment is available to loan for the duration of the course. If you do hold an A*-C grade (or grade 4 and above) or wish to purchase your own equipment please refer to 'What do I need to bring to the first session' below. To avoid unnecessary cost please do not purchase any materials or text books until you are certain that your course will run. Course decisions are normally made a week prior to the course start date.

During the course

This course will start online and move to Claverham Community College, Battle as soon as Covid-19 government guidelines permit. You will stay with the same tutor for online and face to face classes.

The online element of the course will be taught in real time using a video platform (usually Google Meet), supported by other online resources. To ensure you get the most out of the course and can fully participate in the sessions you will interact with your tutor and other students through speaking, listening and the chat function, as well as being able to see each other via the video links, though you can turn off your camera and microphone at any time. You will therefore need to have access to either a laptop, computer or portable device (eg tablet or phone) (this ideally needs to be less than 5 years old), with a camera / webcam and microphone, as well as a good broadband / Wi-Fi connection.

Though not a prerequisite, we would advise that you create a separate email account for your online learning prior to the start of the course and let the ACRES' Office and your tutor know the address.This will be more secure and also allow you to share your email address with other students on the course to enhance your learning experience, without disclosing your personal information.

All exams take place in Uckfield. Dates you need to be available for:
Tuesday 6th April 6pm - Mock exam in Uckfield Civic Centre
Exam board is AQA. Expected exam dates (you will be informed if these are altered):
Tuesday 25th May - Non calculator paper in Uckfield College - typically am
Tuesday 8th June - Calculator paper in Uckfield College - typically am
Tuesday 15th June - Calculator paper in Uckfield College - typically am
Tuesday 29th June - Extra date - please keep available

IMPORTANT:
Exam dates given are based on usual exam situations. Due to the disruption from Covid 19 there may be changes to the dates of the exams and the end of the course. We recommend that you do not book any holidays and remain available for a further 2 weeks. As soon as the dates are issued you will be informed.

What you already need to know

To gain a GCSE in 1 year, regular attendance, a high level of commitment and 3 - 4 hours of home study a week are required. You are expected to have a basic understanding of number operations, fractions, decimals and percentages particularly if you are aiming to achieve a grade 4 or above.
Some students may opt to do the Preparing for GCSE course first to develop their maths and algebra skills over a longer period. This will help to build successful study habits and confidence.
The enrolment process will include a pre-course assessment and short online interview to ensure you are on the course that is most suitable for you.

What you will learn

You will cover all the topics required to achieve a Maths GCSE. These include number, algebra, graphs, geometry and data handling.

The course is starting one week later than originally advertised and the first session will be 16th September. This will not impact on your learning time and you will be offered opportunities later in the course to take part in either an additional lesson or a tutorial to ensure you are on track for your exams.

How you will learn it

You will study in a mix of situations; tutor led, whole group, paired and individual work. Practical and ILT activities will also be used. One-to-one tutorials are offered and there may be the opportunity of some learning support if required.

Bring to the first session

Please bring pencil and notepad to the first session.

Things you will need during the course:
A scientific calculator - recommended calculator Casio FX-83GT Plus - approximate cost £15.00.
A pair of compasses and a protractor
Course text books - approximate cost £25

If you do not hold a grade A*-C / level 4 or above at GCSE Maths then all necessary equipment is available to loan for the duration of the course and can be collected from the ACRES office in Uckfield.

Extra study or practice

It is expected that you will need to spend at least 3-4 hours per week of home study to consolidate learning and practice newly acquired skills.

How to enrol

Students enrolling for this course will need to be interviewed before the course starts to ensure that they are on the right level of course. Contact the ACRES Office on 01825 761820 or email adultlearning@acres.org.uk and you will be sent an enrolment pack which needs to be completed and returned as soon as possible so that we can arrange an online interview with the tutor. The ACRES Office is currently open for telephone calls from Tuesday - Thursday 10:00 - 15:00.

Previous students say

"I took a long time but I didn't give up and I'm glad I didn't because it truly changed my life."

"It has been lovely having you teach me Maths and I am very happy with my GCSE grade. It's a massive achievement for me."

Next steps within this subject with ACRES

Consider studying Functional Skills or GCSE English with ACRES. There are daytime and evening courses available.

Future steps beyond ACRES

Find out about other courses with the National Careers Service for opportunities to extend your skills and knowledge.

Further information

For details of ACRES courses, please speak to your tutor, visit the ACRES website at www.acreslearning.org.uk, consult our latest brochure, or alternatively speak to a member of the team at the office in Uckfield on: 01825 761820