Description
ABOUT THIS COURSE
This new course will demonstrate how to guide your best students to achieve an A* Grade in future Pearson A-level Maths examinations. The course will explore the characteristics of A* students, why and how we must challenge our most able in Maths.
You will leave with a vast range of resources and practical strategies that will enable you to meet the needs of your most able students and ultimately increase A* grade attainment.
The course is designed for teachers of Pearson A-Level Maths, but would be of benefit to teachers of other exam boards as well.
BENEFITS OF ATTENDING
- Increase awareness of what teachers should aim to achieve with the most able mathematicians.
- Develop greater understanding of what examiners are looking for in Grade A* responses
- Learn how to develop resilience so that talented Maths students achieve their A* potential
- Focused on identifying the demands of A* Grades and providing materials to help teachers prepare students effectively
- A detailed look at the different demands of questions
PROGRAMME
Challenging Our Most Able Students
10.00am
- Who are our most able students and why do we have to challenge them?
- Key attributes of Grade A & A* students in the classroom and how to identify these students
- Exam Feedback: what does it tell us about the standards set for the top learners? How can we teach to this effectively?
- Using the structure of the specification to plan for success
Break
10.45am
Focus On Assessment Demands for A* Students
11.00am
- Examine the assessment demands of all components including the use of assessment objectives as a framework for assessment
- Consider the most effective models for delivery of the course to ensure effective assessment
- Feedback and grading analysis from the most recent exam. What is required for A*?
- Grades A & A*: what are the differences between these?
- Analysis of mark schemes – which sections/questions differentiated candidates?
The Key Challenges for A* Students in the Papers
12.00pm
- Developing high end skills and a deep understanding of core Maths concepts
- Which skills are the very hardest for A-Level mathematicians?
- Applying Maths concepts to consistently reach into the top bands
- Activating prior knowledge to improve retention of key topic areas
- Avoiding potential hazards: what can cost a top student their A grade?
Lunch
1.00pm
Stretching and Challenging the Most Able Students
2.00pm
- Moving on from GCSE approaches – encouraging students to become sensitive readers
- What makes a strong A-Level mathematician? How can we build up to this?
- Working up to full past papers, and using them effectively to stretch students
- Planning with and designing support for students aiming for top grades
- Extra-curricular ideas that help get A* grades
Break
3.00pm
Exam Tactics For Achieving The Highest Grades
3.10pm
- What are the biggest challenges of the course for the A/A* learner?
- Retention, recall and deployment. Hints for coverage of key content.
- The short mark questions: what are the potential pitfalls?
- Varying response practice to stretch the most able
- Revision ideas to help students practice
Depart
3.40pm