An investigation (including teacher notes and worksheets) into the origins of square numbers which guides students to generate the square numbers sequence and observe the patterns within it. This investigation would be suitable for a wide variety of age groups including KS2, KS3 and GCSE. In terms of differentiation, earlier stages of the investigation (looking at the patterns in the square numbers) may be more suitable for lower ability learners whereas the latter stages of the investigation (finding the nth term of a quadratic sequence) should stretch higher ability students. Topics covered in this resource are mental arithmetic, properties of numbers, nth term (quadratic) and sequences.

This is an investigation (including teacher notes and worksheets) which is suitable for GCSE maths students, though higher ability KS3 students should be able to complete it. The problem students have to answer is ‘Can you find a formula to find out the total possible number of half-time scores if you know the full-time score of a football match?’ Probability is the main topic covered (listing outcomes, formula for total number of outcomes) as well as algebra topics such as expanding brackets, sequences, factorising and generalising formulae. Pupils can probably work on this independently with some teacher input in setting up the investigation and prompting pupils.

Teacher notes on an investigation on areas of triangles, also covering topics such as simplifying surds, Pythagoras’ Theorem, congruency and algebraic formulae. The problem the students must solve is ‘When the perimeter of a triangle is 20 cm and it is an isosceles triangle, how many possible triangles can there be?’. Students find this out through working out the area of each possible triangle and seeing a pattern. An extension is also included in this resource which gets pupils to work out the total possible number of any triangle (not just isosceles) with a perimeter of 20 cm. Students then work to find a link between the base length of the triangle and the number of possible triangles which can be drawn with that base length. A worksheet is included for each activity as well as notes and guidance on how to conduct the investigation with pupils.

This resource is aimed as an extension activity for higher ability learners as it asks questions in a worded form on Circumference and Area. Useful as an extension, plenary or to consolidate learning of pupils.

This is a short maths test aimed at pupils in KS3. It could be used as a baseline assessment to determine their level at the start of a year as it covers the majority of the basic skills- working out the area and perimeter of a shape, ordering decimals, simplifying fractions and so forth needed to succeed at Mathematics.

A useful revision aid on all the 2-D shapes whom students will encounter in the KS3/GCSE Mathematics curriculum, with notes on their properties and different types of shapes. Also includes a section on polygons for higher ability learners.

This handy template can assist students in looking for jobs and help them develop skills which will be useful for future job searches. Best suited for KS4 pupils (as part of PSHE/Citizenship).

This could be a useful accompaniment to a PSHE/Citizenship lesson or for students to use in their own personal life. This covering letter was for a job as a Teaching Assistant at a local primary school. This would pair well with the covering letter template resource also in my store so that pupils could cross-reference the two.

A useful template for creating covering letters, which could be used as part of general studies or careers education (PSHE/citizenship) and help pupils create their own covering letter, perhaps for a volunteer position or applying for an actual job.

A model CV for a GCSE or college student (with some parts hidden to preserve anonymity). Useful for pupils in applying for jobs or to create an academic CV and could help them with the creation of their own CV as it provides a clear template with how to structure and what to include in their CV.

Of most use to college and university students and those in KS4, this essay provides clear and simple instructions on how to be critical (evaluate) in an essay, providing 3 main frameworks from which to do so.

A very helpful resource which introduces students to the concept of paraphrasing in an essay. This simple and easy to understand resource is intended to act as a starter resource on paraphrasing which breaks down the steps used in order to paraphrase, explaining it fully. This guide may be useful for KS4 students, those at college or in the early years of university.

A handy list of tips and tricks to help students write an essay at any level to the best of their ability. Suitable for KS3/4 and college students.

This resource is intended for sixth form and university students and is an example of a first class essay, for which the topic was Mathematical Modelling. The essay is annotated with commentary (in red) which describes why the essay was a first and the steps the author went through in completing the essay as well as some general hints and tips. This could be used as part of a study skills workshop for students or just a general seminar on what constitutes good essay writing. An example of an activity for this resource could be to omit the commentary and ask the students themselves to annotate the essay and comment on why they think it was a first, before then resupplying them with the essay but this time with the commentary. This may be a useful way of assessing students’ perceptions of what it takes to get a first in an essay.

A handy glossary of terms (separated by each of the 4 strands of Mathematics: Number, Shape, Handling Data and Algebra) which will be very useful for pupils for revision purposes and act as a reminder for when they forget the meaning of key terminology. Suitable for both KS3 students or those studying foundation at KS4. Links excellently with Literacy and promotes the use of this within Mathematics.