Working with the number system at KS4: integers, decimals, fractions, percentages, ratio, proportion, indices and powers, standard form (Higher), surds (Higher), rounding and estimation, error bounds. Applying number skills in real-life contexts and in purely mathematical contexts.
Tested by
- Edexcel IGCSE 4MA1 AO1 (Number and algebra; 57–63% of grade) — content area 1: Numbers and the number system
- AQA GCSE 8300 AO1 applied to the Number content domain
- Pearson Edexcel FS Maths L2 — Number (Ofqual 2018 §3) — using numbers and the number system: read, write, order, compare positive and negative numbers; add, subtract, multiply, divide using whole numbers and decimals; calculate with fractions, decimals, percentages
Foundation vs Higher
At Foundation tier (IGCSE/GCSE grades 1–5): integer arithmetic, fraction/decimal/percentage equivalence, simple ratio and proportion, basic powers and roots.
At Higher tier (IGCSE/GCSE grades 4–9): standard form, surds in exact form, recurring decimals as fractions, more complex ratio and proportion, error bounds.
FS Level 2 sits broadly equivalent to Foundation tier in scope but framed for adult-life contexts.
Cross-curriculum links
- Life and Work — Functional Maths — the same canonical content, framed for adult-life contexts (workplace, civic, consumer)
Mastery descriptors
- emerging — uses integer and decimal arithmetic with familiar numbers; converts between simple equivalents (1/2 = 50%) with support
- developing — calculates fluently with integers, decimals, and simple fractions; uses ratio and proportion in everyday contexts
- secure — applies number skills across mathematical and real-life problems; uses powers, roots, and percentages confidently
- mastering — controls standard form, surds, and exact-form arithmetic; reasons with error bounds and exact answers