PSC
psc314.bsky.social
PSC
@psc314.bsky.social
Maths teacher in Sixth Form College
I think it is scandalous.
October 7, 2025 at 9:45 PM
This looks brilliant. Thank you so much for sharing, it must have taken you ages to put it together
September 2, 2025 at 4:09 AM
In Stats, for example, it feels wrong & inefficient to me, to teach yr1 bk prob separate from yr2 bk prob. If teach conditional prob, can do both in one go. In pure we do both bin exp next to each other. There is no right or wrong, but I think a lot of places tweak textbook order, I say be braver!
June 22, 2025 at 5:45 AM
My approach is: All Pure until Xmas in yr12, try to avoid splitting classes, ignore the order of textbook and do what feels right and efficient.
June 20, 2025 at 5:37 AM
Lots of yr2 content in yr1. I don't like the textbook order. It is more efficient to do all binomial exp in one go, all vectors in one go, do all proof in one go. We vary the chapters and topics so much I would have no idea what chapters correspond to what topics without a textbook in front of me!
June 19, 2025 at 6:41 PM
We teach it. Works well for students wanting to do a mathsy A level with a grade 6 or even a grade 5. Resources are very limited and lack of textbooks doesn't help.
March 15, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Thanks Oliver. We teach this course at my college and are always surprised by how few places offer it, and how few resources are out there. Maybe these things are connected and maybe your efforts will positively impact both of them.
February 25, 2025 at 7:06 AM
When doing a hyp test by finding a prob (rather than CR) the p-val is the prob we compare with sig lev. If 1 tail, we find prob and compare to sig lev (this prob is therefore the p-val). If 2 tail, we find prob and compare with half of sig lev or compare 2xprob with sig lev (hence p-val is 2xprob).
February 8, 2025 at 5:47 AM
Enjoy the OFSTED! I tell my students that for questions like q7 and q9 in the image an exam question would definitely give more clues, probably like it does in q8, or by saying show that...
January 7, 2025 at 8:57 AM
All of our F Maths students do 4 A levels, so it is not the same, but they do Maths A level exams at end of Yr12. Whilst they are better mathematicians at end Yr13, they are better A level mathematicians at end of Yr12, with little overlap between the courses. All get A/A* in yr12 and unis are happy
December 18, 2024 at 11:05 PM
The y axis is still labelled freq density. Essentially the gcse formula that freq density = freq/class width is technically wrong. It should be that few density is prop to freq/class width.
November 26, 2024 at 7:27 PM
Yes. A Level questions are all about area is prop to freq, and true class width is prop to width of bar
November 26, 2024 at 5:08 PM
If you know a gradient and a point on the line (and the qstn doesn't care what form you put the answer in) then y-y1... requires no further working and thus must be easier!
September 26, 2024 at 5:47 PM
I would much prefer harder exams and more lenient markscheme. Maths should be about creativity and understanding not fussiness about insufficient evidence. Edexcel and AQA seem similar in this regard in my experience
September 24, 2024 at 8:51 PM
Many thanks
September 22, 2024 at 10:43 AM
I leave standardisation until students are comfortable with calc skills for finding probs and using probs
September 21, 2024 at 1:40 PM
Introducing integration in yr12. Multiboard work finding area between different lines and x axis between x and 0. Brief struggle with x^2, then summary of results leading to realisation it is opposite of differentiation, then bewilderment as to why this works. Always my favourite lesson of the year!
September 21, 2024 at 12:41 AM
I'm desperately trying to get GCSE retake teachers where I work to teach speed/distance/time qstns using proportionality rather than sdt triangles. Mixed response with staff & students but I'm going to persevere (for now).
September 19, 2024 at 3:59 AM
These are the most annoying mistakes. I'm naming them INANEs (Infuriating Non-Algebraic/Numerical Errors) and it is my depts target this yr to stamp them out. Plan A: Write INANE lots on students work! Plan B: Whatever you say!
September 8, 2024 at 9:33 PM
I admire your commitment. I have a maths degree and have always given up on MAT and STEP. Forever grateful that someone else in the dept has always been keen
September 8, 2024 at 2:09 PM