NCETM CPD ConferenceEngaging with Mathematics:A journey for teachers, learners and families

Nottingham, Tue. 1st Dec. 2009

Improving the Success Rate in AS Mathematics: Sharingour Experience at Long Road SFC: LSIS STEM ActionResearch Project.

Stephen WarrCourse Team Leader for AS/A2 MathsLong Road Sixth Form CollegeCambridge

• Large SFC with over 2000 students.

• Wide range of Level 2 and 3 courses across college:

40 AS/A2-Levels6 National/Level 3 Diploma Courses15 GCSE & Level 2 Diploma Courses

• Our students need at least 5 GCSE’s at grade C for most AS-levels. Maths and the sciences require a GCSE grade B in these subjects.

Ensuring AS Maths is an appropriate course

• Students come from over 30 schools and colleges.

• Many have not always had good advice about AS Maths.

• Success rate in AS Maths rapidly fell to 39% in 2007-08.

• About 50% of AS cohort have a GCSE grade B.

• Open evenings and Year 10 taster days insufficient to ensure that students had received appropriate guidance before starting the course.

• CCIS provided a spreadsheet with info on around 250 students made a provisional offer to do Maths or Use of Maths.

• In May, letters sent to students with dedicated email address to book places. Around 80 apply.

• Second letter sent to parents and 161 students attended one of 6 induction sessions in June/July.

Year 11 Induction Sessions

Photos from Year 11 induction

• 96% said that the induction had given them a better idea of what AS maths would be like.

• 78% expect to find the AS course very difficult.

• 20% felt that GCSE had not effectively prepared them for the course.

• 67 students with provisional offers did not start a Level 3 Maths course.

• In September, 60 students who were not invited to induction, doing Level 3 Maths course.

Year 11 Induction Sessions

Ensure students make aninformed choice to do acourse they can successfullycomplete.

5 Week Induction Period

• AS Mathematics Induction Booklet.

5 Week Induction Period

• Diagnostic assessment during the first lesson.

5 Week Induction Period

• Question level profile built up for each class. • Students identified as “at risk” if assessment shows basic algebra skills not well developed.

• All AS students have a 45 minute workshop on their timetable at the START of the year.

• Intervention strategy:1) “At risk” student put on compulsory workshop for a

term.2) Parents and tutors informed.3) Attendance monitored and followed-up.

4) Students expected to complete Maths work outside of class.

5) Effective liaison between class teachers, course team leaders, tutors, senior tutors and the faculty

head.

5 Week Induction Period

“We’re always encouraged to work well, and thereare loads of workshops and extra stuff”.

“All the workshops are very helpful, I feel that I cantalk to my teacher about any problems I might have”.

“I think that compulsory workshops for people whoneed them work well”.

“I like Maths a lot and have enjoyed learning newareas, finding it a tough but rewarding challenge.

Some quotes from our students

• Diagnostic assessment as base line to monitor students progress.

• Intervention strategy.• Workshops effective in a large department.

Structuring the course

• Weekly objectives for entire AS/A2 course laid out in 4 separate Moodle pages. This is our VLE.

Structuring the course

• Students need to do Mathematics outside of class.

• Homework booklets for all modules, teachers answer packs and class sets of answer packs. Questions and solutions on the VLE.

• Provide overview of the course, VLE and paper.

• Mathematics assessment criteria for staff to mark work and students to peer mark.

• Effective ways of recording students’ work.

• Use of objectives sheets to record work done in lessons.

Tracking and monitoring progress

• Assessment after 5 weeks of Core 1 work (early Oct).

• Formal Mock examination in the hall. One 90 minute session in each of the 4 option blocks during the day (late Nov).

• Question level analysis for all classes, as before.

• Maintain intervention strategy: log of weekly workshop attendance, with follow-up as required.

• Follow-up so HW is completed.

• Structure of entire course in place at the start of the year.

• Students like an overview of the course.

• Regular homework, encourage lots of peer marking