Recommended Reading
I'm often asked if there is a text book that I would recommend to aid GCSE students. Something that will help them learn independently, and to give extra practice outside of lessons. I would absolutely recommend one of the Collins GCSE Maths range.
There are several Collins books, and each one is slightly different. They are geared towards particular exam boards and tiers, so make sure you know this information before buying! Why do I like these books? Well, all questions are graded and colour coordinated, so if you complete a C grade section, you know you can get a grade C in that topic. This can be a great confidence boost. The books have several 'Really Useful Maths' sections, which encourage students to use maths in real life situations. This is good practice - students will have to decide for themselves which mathematical topic is appropriate and apply it successfully. Exams are becoming far more geared to this was of assessing. Identifying which maths to use in a situation is a skill needed to get those top grades too.
I have always found the worked examples to be clear and very helpful - I have often used them as part of my teaching when explaining a topic. They are particularly helpful when students are working independently and do not have a teacher or tutor to guide them. There are plenty of questions too, so lots of practice!
If you search on Amazon under Collins GCSE Maths, you will find the whole range. They usually have a picture of a plane or a builder on the front. Definitely the best book I have used as part of my teaching.
