Integrated Mathematics Scheme

The Integrated Mathematics Scheme (IMS) was written by Peter Kaner and published between 1982 and 1987. The structure consisted of books A1 and B1 for Year Seven, books A2 and B2 for Year Eight and then three separate ‘tracks’ (L, M and N) for Years 9-11. Books L1, L2, L2 were intended for ‘slow-learners’ and M1, M2 / N1, N2 for students targeted at CSE and O level examinations.

Later in the development, with the introduction of GCSE in 1987, a revision book for GCSE was produced to supplement the two revision books, MR and NR, produced for the M and N series. A notable inclusion was an additional book, Book C, for able students in Years Seven and Eight written by W.W.Sawyer. The structure for the A and B books is slightly unusual. T

he first half of each book consists of the same ‘main’ (M) units of work. The second half of the ‘A’ books contains parallel (P) or practice units related to most of the main units while the second half of the ‘B’ books contains extension (E) units related to most of the main units. This was intended as a way of supporting the teaching of mixed ability classes.

In reality much of the content of a P unit overlaps that of the corresponding E unit with just a little significant extension.

Note: Due to the publication date the mathematical content is very formal by today’s standards. It is one of the earlier attempts in a comprehensive scheme to include a modern approach to problem solving and the use of calculators.