Waiting List: GCSE Maths

Please note, all the information below regards GCSE Maths. This is a waiting list for the next available course which begins in September 2024 however, we will begin admission sessions and enrolment in the spring. Your date of application will be taken from the date you applied for the admission session. Please read the information below and apply to join the waiting list in readiness for spring 2024. 

This intensive 30-week GCSE Maths course follows the (8300) Foundation level syllabus offered by AQA.

On the course you will cover a range of mathematical topics including:

• Number


• Algebra


• Ratio, proportion and rates of change


• Geometry and measures


• Probability


• Statistics

You will learn to apply your Maths skills to everyday situations and will develop skills to make you more confident with numbers and mathematical concepts. GCSE Maths is split into two tiers and the course will cover Foundation tier only. Grades achievable at Foundation Level will be 5 to 1, equivalent to C to G. The classroom teaching will be aimed at Foundation Level. 

A variety of learning activities will be used on this course, including tutor presentation and demonstration, practical application of skills, individual and group work, discussions, Q&A, internet research, individual research and project work. Where relevant, your learning will enable you to develop skills and knowledge required for work. This is an intense course and significant home study will be necessary to successfully complete this course. You will be supported to develop good study skills. Homework will be regularly set and you will be expected to complete this in order to retain your place on the course.

This course leads to a GCSE Mathematics qualification, and the cost of it is subsidised by public funding. You will be required to attend every session and complete all the necessary coursework/assignments or exams by the given deadlines. For further information on the syllabus for this course please go to www.aqa.org.uk. Learners will be awarded a grade from 5 to 1, with 5 being the highest grade achievable as this course will prepare you to take the GCSE Mathematics exams at Foundation Level only. 

You need to attend an Admissions Session before you start this course: click on the View sessions button. The GCSE Maths courses start in the first half of September and you will need to attend a Get Ready for GCSE Maths workshop before the course starts to ensure that you have access to everything that you need to be able to get off to a flying start. Please visit our website for further details or telephone our team on 01202 123444 who will advise you on how to apply. For term dates please refer to www.skillsandlearningace.com/about/term-dates.

This is a Level 2 examination course. Examination dates will be given to you by your tutor at the start of the course and will fall outside the scheduled class times. These are national exams and the dates are fixed. You must ensure you can attend the specified exam location on the exam dates provided. Home study, research and preparation for assessment are also required to be completed in your own time during the course.

• Awarding body: AQA syllabus 8300 Foundation level


• Assignments/Course work: No formally assessed coursework although regular homework will be set and marked


• Examination(s): 3 x exam papers. 1 non-calculator (1hr 30 mins) and 2 with a calculator (both 1hr 30mins)

The Foundation Tier is aimed at those learners who want to build up their understanding of mathematical basic skills. It is a good progression course if you have achieved Functional Skills Maths at Level 2. This highly popular GCSE course is for adults over the age of 19 who have not already achieved a GCSE Maths grades B - C (or 5-4). It is useful to enhance career prospects, access further or higher education, support children and family members with their own maths skills or to improve skills for personal reasons.

You will need a minimum of a strong competence at Level 1 in Numeracy to successfully complete this course. When you apply for the course you will be asked to complete a numeracy assessment. The GCSE course assumes knowledge of basic maths skills and multiplication tables and you are advised to revise these before taking the assessment. If your assessment shows that you are not ready to take this course, more appropriate courses will be discussed.

A good knowledge and use of English language at Level 1 is also essential for this course as you will need to understand fully the scenarios and examples of where your maths skills will need to be applied. If English is not your first language you may need to provide proof of an English language qualification and will need to complete a Skills Check.

Your tutor will support you to achieve the best possible grade you can, however, as this is an intensive 30-week course, higher grades at Foundation level are only achievable with considerable home study, regular attendance and commitment and cannot be achieved just by attending classes. You can check the suitability of this course for a preferred career path or route to employment by looking at various job profiles on the National Careers Service website: https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk

There is an expectation that if you enrol on this course, you are willing to demonstrate a full commitment to the period of time involved in this course, the associated home study and the assessed work required, and intend to sit the examination. Please note that attendance and progress are regularly monitored. You should consider your readiness to commit to study and we have a study support toolbox to help you with this: www.skillsandlearningace.com/toolbox/

The required text book for this course can be borrowed from Skills & Learning. You may prefer to purchase your own text book. You should have A4 paper, a folder, pens, pencils and mathematical equipment (scientific calculator, compasses, ruler and protractor) available at each session. 

If you will be attending a classroom based GCSE Maths course, it will benefit your progress if you have regular and reliable access to a computer and the internet. For those attending an online GCSE Maths course, a quiet area from which to access the online sessions along with reliable internet access and a computer with microphone and camera are crucial to be able to fully participate in and benefit from the online classes. 

We will give you access to Microsoft Teams where we will upload learning material and support documentation which you will need to refer to frequently throughout your course. If you do not have access to a PC at home and are attending a classroom based GCSE Maths course, you can use facilities at your local library. 

Course costs: GCSE Maths is fully funded for those aged 19+ who have not yet achieved GCSE Maths at Grade C (or 4) or above (subject to residency rules). Course fees may be payable if you have already had a funded place and failed to attend/complete the course/qualification.

Once you have improved your maths skills you may like to consider an English or ICT qualification. Other courses may be offered by Skills & Learning or other local providers. There are a range of courses available to help the development of skills for work. There are a variety of e-learning courses that can be started at any time of the year. Please visit our website for more details. www.skillsandlearningace.com. Up to date English, maths and Essential Digital Skills qualifications can help you progress at work or into further or higher education.

Skills & Learning work with local employers to offer Sector Based Work Academy Programmes. Your tutor may also be able to discuss the possible next step options with you. You may like to talk with a Careers Adviser about other courses. General careers advice and guidance can be provided by the National Careers Service https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk For further information please contact us on 01202 123444.

English, maths and computing skills: all of our courses support the development of relevant English, maths and computing skills.

Refunds: please see details of our cancellation policy in our Terms and Conditions on our website www.skillsandlearningace.com/policies/terms-and-conditions or in our brochure.

Attendance: before enrolling you should ensure that you can attend all classes offered as far as possible.

Places on courses: many of our courses are in high demand. If you have been offered a place but no longer require it, please advise us immediately as you may be preventing another learner from taking the place. Where learners do not attend the first session, without having given prior notice, Skills & Learning reserve the right to offer the place on the course to another learner; you will not be eligible for a refund it it is outside of the terms outlined in our cancellation policy.

Fully funded learners: if you have been offered a fully funded place on a course and no longer require it, you must advise us before the course starts so that your place can be offered to someone else. We reserve the right to withdraw future offers of fully funded places if you regularly do not start or complete funded courses.

Home study: you will be required to do significant study at home between sessions to assist with your learning and progress.

Qualification Levels: there is further information about qualification levels on our website. 

Proof of identity: please bring photographic ID and your National Insurance number with you to your first session. You will also need to provide it for any external examinations you take.

Off-site activities: with some courses, there may be the opportunity for off-site enrichment activities at additional cost, for example: gallery, museum or exhibition visits. Where this is an integral part of the course, your tutor will discuss the arrangements with you during your induction.

Parking at centres: parking at centres may be limited; please be prepared to use on street parking or pay and display car parks. For information regarding each centre, please visit the venue section of our website www.skillsandlearningace.com/our-centres/.

Refreshments: tea/coffee or vending machine(s) are available at some venues. Further information can be found in the venue section of our website www.skillsandlearningace.com/our-centres/.

Unspent Criminal Convictions we require learners to disclose any unspent criminal convictions. Please refer to www.skillsandlearningace.com/policies/disclosure-of-unspent-convictions.

If you have any accessibility or disability issues that we need to accommodate or if you think you may need any other support to complete your chosen course, please contact: 01202 123444 or e-mail enquiries@salbcp.com. All enquiries are treated in confidence.