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25th June 2010

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Dear Parent/Guardian

I have recently taken up the post of Assistant Head-teacher/CDL Mathematics at Nunthorpe School and would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Neal Holder and I am looking forward to working with you in due course.

As part of my new role I intend to accelerate the learning of students in Mathematics by giving them the opportunity to gain their GCSE qualification, 6 months early. As you may or may not be aware, your child has recently sat their module 3 exam and has now completed 45% of their Maths qualification. They must still sit their final module exam in June 2011, which accounts for 55% of their overall grade. The general trend when students sit their final module, is that they find it very difficult and their final grade can be lower than predicted, and in a worst case scenario, emerge with a grade D.

This year, to prevent this from happening, I will be entering all year 11 students for a linear edexcel exam, giving your child the opportunity to attain a grade C or above in November 2010. Therefore taking a little bit of pressure off them when it comes to their final exam in June 2011 and also giving them the opportunity to achieve a higher grade, without the worry of not achieving a grade C.

Students will be sitting their GCSE exam on the 8th and 12th of November 2010. Students in sets Q1 and Z1 will be sitting the higher paper (A*-C), whilst all other students will be sitting the foundation paper (C-G).

Those students who achieve a grade C in their early entry exam will then study the higher scheme of work for their module 5 examination in June 2011. The higher paper students who achieve grade C or above will be given the opportunity to study towards a Free Standing Mathematics Qualification (FSMQ). This course covers elements of higher mathematics and ‘A’ level, and is the perfect bridging course for those students who are interested in studying mathematics at ‘A’ level. It also prepares students for re-sitting the higher exam in June 2011, with the opportunity of improving their grade further.

For students who do not achieve a grade C in their November early entry exam, they will continue to study the foundation course for further examination in June 2011.

Ultimately, this will mean all students will have an extra opportunity to achieve their GCSE, whilst allowing higher achieving students the chance to continue with their excellent modular results.

If you do have any concerns or queries, please do not hesitate to contact me, by email at nholder@nuthorpe.co.uk or by phone on 01642 310561, Ext 118.

Yours sincerely

Mr N Holder
Assistant Head-teacher/CDL Mathematics

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