Gateway to maths GCSE

What is the course about?

This course is about preparing you to start a GCSE maths course. It is designed for anyone who already has a good level of everyday Maths. The course will mirror the accredited GCSE but at a lower level. You will study and be assessed on many of the topics/skills which you will need on the GCSE maths course.

What will we cover?

We will cover some of the topics/skills of the GCSE accreditation but in less detail and at a lower level. Which of these we focus on most will depend on the learning needs of students in the group. Some of those topic areas are listed below

• Some of the more everyday applications of the subject involving percentages, fractions and decimals
• Using standard units of measure and related concepts (length, area, volume/capacity, mass, time, money, etc.)
• Shapes and their properties including 2D and 3D shapes, properties of faces, plans and elevations
• Introduction to algebra, including substituting into formulae, inequalities and equations
• Basic probability.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

• start your GCSE maths course with a good foundation
• solve a range of everyday problems using percentages, for examples questions relating to bank accounts and interest.
• calculate areas, volumes, capacity of solids given dimensions or find unknown dimensions given area or volume
• state the properties of 2D and 3D shapes and solids
• substitute into formulae both known and unknown. For example, finding the volume of a cylinder given radius of top and height
• be able to solve linear equations such as 2X + 4 = 6
• be able to solve basic probability problems.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This course is for learners who wish to progress to an accredited Maths GCSE course. You will need to have the Maths skills at least of functional skills level 1 and will need to complete an initial assessment before being accepted on the course. You also need to be able to commit to attendance every week and have the time, means and dedication to work outside the classroom.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

You will learn in a supportive and welcoming environment. The tutor will help you discover rules and features of maths. You will work on your own and with other students. You will learn in a step by step manner so you can complete challenging tasks in enjoyable and relaxing ways. Your tutor will also work with you individually so you know how to improve. You will need to do work outside the classroom and use Google Classroom to help you.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

You will need a lined A4 pad, pens and a folder for assignments. You will need an appropriate calculator. Your tutor will give you details of this. You will also need some maths equipment e.g. a ruler, a protractor, compasses and pencils.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

You can progress to GCSE Foundation/Higher after completing this course and the pre-course assessment successfully.

There are other maths courses you can do before, during or after this course and the GCSE to help you. These include:
• Maths skills for life and work - getting ready for functional skills (foundation 1)
• Maths for life and work (level 1)
• Maths functional skills (level 1) / (level 2)
• Discover the maths in the world around you: from nature to buildings (entry 3-level 1)
• The maths of games and lotteries: how to play better (level 2)
• Maths and podcasting: talk about maths (level 1-level 2)
• Bitesize maths: becoming confident with numbers and calculations (level 1-2)
• Bitesize maths: becoming confident with shapes, space and measuring (level 1-2)
• Bitesize maths: becoming confident with algebra, problem-solving and equations (level 1-2)
• Becoming data literate: how to understand and interpret the data all around you (level 1-2)
• Becoming data literate: how to present data for work or study (level 2)
• Maths for business: the essential skills to run a company and make a profit (level 1-2)

You can also do classes in the digital skills and English areas. These include:
• Digital skills for the workplace: using Excel (foundation)
• Digital skills for the workplace: working with data - inputting, finding, sorting, filtering with Excel (foundation)
• Digital skills for business: analysing, handling and presenting data with Excel (intermediate)
• Digital skills for business: visualising data with Excel - from column charts to scatter plots (intermediate)
• Preparing for English Language GCSE
• English language GCSE
• English Functional Skills (level 1)
• English Functional Skills (level 2)

For more information, talk with your tutor or contact universal.skills@citylit.ac.uk / 020 4582 0423.






Any questions do email: Universal.skills@citylit.ac.uk or ring 0207 492 2511.