Update on new GCSE (9-1) Maths

With confirmation from the regulator Ofqual today that all exam boards need to make minor amendments to their sample exam papers, and that teachers should have this updated material from the end of June, we’re looking forward to helping teachers to prepare for the successful introduction of OCR’s new GCSE Maths this September.

OCR’s new GCSE (9-1) Maths has been developed with the help of teachers, academics and experts from the subject associations.

Eddie Wilde, OCR’s Head of Maths said: “Helping to encourage problem solving skills and moving away from rote learning and memorising is a positive move for maths teaching and learning in this country. With more content in the new GCSE, we know that teachers will need our help as they get to grips with delivering their subject. In a nutshell, we’ve created our new GCSE to appeal to teachers and pupils alike and the feedback we’ve had so far is very positive.”

“We’re excited about the prospect of helping students and teachers to get off to a flying start in September. There are training events about the new GCSE in June, plus a large range of resources available online to help teachers, such as transition guides from KS3 to KS4. All the members of OCR’s dedicated maths team are on hand to offer support to maths teachers.”

Training

There are still free training events around the country in June to support teachers of the new GCSE. To find relevant training events, visit our CPD Hub and search by qualification for GCSE Mathematics. Training specific to GCSE Maths is available on ‘Approaching problem solving’, ‘Developing Resources’, and ‘Planning for the new GCSE’, while the Maths team will also be on hand at OCR’s ‘Expo’ events on GQ reform. You can also join one of the networking events for Maths teachers taking place at schools around the country.

Teaching and Learning Resources

OCR has developed a wide range of free, accessible resources (scroll down to the bottom of the GCSE Maths page) to suit different teaching styles and learning abilities. Feedback from teachers and Cambridge Assessment research which focused on overcoming student misconceptions has guided our approach to the new Delivery Guides, Transition Guides and Lesson Elements on our website. Some of our most popular are the ‘Check in tests’ which provide questions related to the initial learning topics to test students’ understanding. New Curriculum Planners (Schemes of Work) have also been produced, saving teachers’ planning time and addressing problem solving within topics. In collaboration with Cambridge University Press, new Foundation and Higher Student Books are available, designed to help teachers to develop students’ problem-solving skills, mathematical reasoning and fluency.

Features of OCR GCSE (9-1) Maths

• A column of required content suitable for ‘initial learning’ is clearly set out in OCR’s specification, ensuring that students tackle the basics before moving on to more difficult areas.
• 100 marks per paper, giving OCR scope for awarding more method marks within questions. This means students can be better rewarded for each correct step on the way towards an answer.
• Mathematical formulae will be provided directly in each question when relevant, rather than on a formulae sheet at the front of the paper.
• The language of the new Maths GCSE papers is more accessible. Setting questions within authentic, non-mathematical contexts and using non-technical wording helps pupils to develop problem solving skills and better understand the real-world applications of maths.

Get in touch

To get in touch with our maths team, you can ring via 01223 553998, email maths@ocr.org.uk, or tweet at @ocr_maths.