Maths book recommendation.

[johnnienobed]

Hi, I wondered if anyone could advise me re; buying a text book for DD (Year 8) to help with her maths.

She left primary school with a good 5 in her SAT's but after 2 years with the same teacher we have watched her confidence and ability plummet.

The teacher doesn't set tests, never marks homework and does not have schemes of work ("we are a high performing school we don't need them").

DD is in the top set for all other subjects but has all but given up on maths She has asked us to get her a book so that she can teach herself!

There must be schemes of work - however high achieveing they are. Never marks or sets tests? have you spoken to head of Maths about your concerns? I would.
My favourite textbook is the maths frameworking by collins here but I am a little out of touch. There is no perfect textbook and it might be easier to see what they have at her school.

Thanks mnistooaddictive, it was actually the head of maths who made the comment about the schemes of work!

She has never been given any sort of maths textbook other than little booklets that the teacher has made up herself.

FWIW I certainly don't think they are high performing either, they get slightly above average results.

Galore Park are very rigorous textbooks with loads of exercises. Your DD could pick and choose what bits she needs practice on. There are 3 books which technically cover years 6-8 in selective prep schools but cover years 7-9 in ordinary schools! Not cheap but very thorough!

Alternatively www.conquermaths.com is a good website. I'm not sure how much it costs for an individual but is very good. There is a tutorial, then a 'worksheet' that you complete online; click on send and it marks it for you instantly. It covers right up to GCSE and the man's voice on the tutorials is gorgeous!!

How do they move between sets if they never have tests? That doesn't sound right at all.
My DD's school recommended the Brookworth books. We had always used CGP for primary but my DD finds the Brookworth ones better.

They do levels 5-7 and 6-8. My DD has gone onto the GCSE books now in year 9 [as they are starting the GCSE course early across the entire year]which are also good.