Mathematical Thinking for GCSE

This workgroup will enable teachers to explore how they and their departments can address the reasoning and problem-solving challenges of the mathematics curriculum and its assessment at GCSE. The workgroup will explore professional development activities focusing on practical and accessible classroom-based approaches. The activities themselves also offer a model for wider department engagement with professional development processes, and hence could provide the basis of an effective department improvement programme in this area.

Who is this for?

All secondary maths departments and teachers wishing to begin or continue a programme of professional development to address the reasoning and problem-solving challenges of the mathematics GCSE. The approaches attempt to address not only the longer development of these skills across all teaching but also the needs of current KS4 pupils as they approach GCSE.
In order to maximise the wider impact of the professional development across the department, it is suggested, where possible, that each school sends two members of department, at least one of whom is experienced and has some leadership responsibility within the department.