How we support maths teachers - Mathematics subject specialists

GCSE

Since our new GCSE (9-1) Mathematics qualification was accredited, we’ve been busy putting together a comprehensive package of resources and support. A free range of teaching and learning resources are available from ocr.org.uk/gcsemaths, including…

• Check in tests – Short tests assessing a single maths topic. Available in three different types, based on content from the three columns of our specification.
• Curriculum planners – use them as your scheme of work or easily adaptable to your own preferences. Suitable for 2 or 3-year delivery, plus our 1-year curriculum planner will be released shortly for centre resitting.
• Delivery guides – collections of links to resources with focusses on content, conceptual understanding and context.
• Lesson elements – short activities for use in lessons.

We currently have two full sets of question papers available (Sample assessment materials and practice papers) and will be publishing a third set in spring this year. This third set will only be downloadable from a secure location, where your learners won’t be able to view them from.

We have three CPD courses running this term, on planning, creating resources and problem solving in the new GCSE. Visit the CPD Hub now to book on, or to view materials from previous courses.

A Level

We are currently running two CPD courses: ‘Practical approach to teaching mechanics’ and ‘Using a large data set to teach statistics’. Both explore interactive pedagogy using physical experiments and real data as the context in which to learn mechanics and statistics concepts. The large data set course also looks forward to a large data set use in the reformed AS and A level in Mathematics (first teaching September 2017), exploring some of the ideas around the data set and how to try them out on current students. Book now via cpdhub.ocr.org.uk.

We are also beginning to develop a suite of support resources for the reformed AS and A Levels in Mathematics and Further Mathematics, including sets of formative assessment tasks, sample schemes of work, delivery guides for new or substantially different areas of the content, and lesson elements to provide you with interesting ideas for teaching and learning. Sign up for updates to hear when these go live!

Our relationship with MEI will also continue into the reformed A Levels, allowing a choice of specification along with a wealth of resources and CPD opportunities. Visit http://www.mei.org.uk/2017-mei-specification to find out more about the OCR(MEI) mathematics specification. MEI is also developing its Integral resources to support the new OCR and OCR(MEI) mathematics specifications, and are incorporating new features to help develop deep mathematical understanding. Visit integralmaths.org to take a look!

Core Maths

Free teaching and learning resources for both our Core Maths qualifications are available to download from OCR. Amongst the various resource offerings you will find:

• Curriculum planners – use them as your scheme of work or easily adaptable to your own preferences.
• Resource lists – these are stored under mapping guides and they cover resource ideas for the entire course content.
• Topic exploration packs – these look at teaching topics in more detail and provide a range of lesson resources to cover the breadth of the topic.
• Lesson elements – these focus on specific topics that overlap with GCSE or A Level, but here have been adapted to the right level of demand for Core Maths.
• Transition guides – these look at how topics perceived as traditionally GCSE topics need to be delivered to the Core Maths audience.

A large resource package has also been developed by MEI who worked with us on the Core Maths development. The package is hosted on the MEI Integral website and includes schemes of work, lesson plans, formative topic assessments and, most importantly, practice papers!

Free CPD events are still open for bookings (Exeter-25 February and Newcastle-upon-Tyne-10 March). These can be booked onto via the CPD Hub, where you can also find our free Masterclass videos. We’re also setting up online training events, so sign up for updates to hear when these go live!

Entry Level Mathematics

A number of free interactive worksheets entitled bronze, silver and gold, are available to download from the Entry Level Mathematics subject page under the ‘Teaching and learning’ section. Online resources are also available via the Entry Level Mathematics website. A suggested order of teaching is outlined in the teacher guide with references to the textbook and the online resources.

As this qualification is internally assessed, new centres often require an introduction to the administration, delivery, assessment and resourcing of the qualification in their first year. We run regional CPD events at the start of the academic year to support centres in preparing to deliver and assess the Entry Level qualification, with a focus on linking everyday activities to entry level teaching. We’re also happy to arrange to either call or visit centres to provide extra support, especially where non-specialists are responsible for running the qualification at their centre. Get in touch using the details below!

FSMQ

Currently OCR offers two Free Standing Maths Qualifications that act as stepping stone qualifications between GCSE and A Level. Additional Maths (6993) focuses upon four areas of Pure Mathematics (Algebra, Coordinate Geometry, Trigonometry and Calculus) to offer further challenge for high achieving GCSE Maths students and provide an introduction to the A Level Maths course. Foundations of Advanced Mathematics (MEI) (6989) is a broad-based course covering arithmetic, algebra, graphs, trigonometry and statistics. It uses a multiple choice structure to assess the understanding of concepts developed as part of the GCSE Mathematics course and focused on topics identified as key to progression into A Level studies.

If you have any queries or questions on our maths questions, you can comment below, email us via maths@ocr.org.uk, call us on 01223 553998 or Tweet us @OCR_Maths. Don’t forget you can also suggest resources for us to create too!

About the authors

Find out more about the OCR Maths Subject Specialists at our Meet The Team page.