After cattery's post I am moved to ask: 'what are the best textbooks?' Obvioulsy the anser will be different for every stage (or will it?) but it is always helpful to share great text books. Not just for maths but for other subjects.


FOR MATHS
A-level Bostock and Chandler is the best set of books. I always go back to them.
GCSE: Obviously B&C again. The kids like the CGP books (less able groups more so) I don't think the questions are set out well enough.

FOR English

It does not matter how many lit crits I read for set texts I always go back to york Notes. It gives you what you need for the exams. (both GCSE and Alevel)

I have to agree about the Bostock and Chandler books. I once had this brown text book that I thought was great but I lent it to someone and have never found it again since. CGP books are useless. Too many pretty drawings not enough actual maths.

As I said in my message, I have had problems finding suitable textbooks. My daughter is learning three languages (French, Spanish and Latin) and we are using the "So you really want to learn ..." series from Galore Park Publishing and they are excellent IMHO. The Spanish and Latin books completely cover the GCSE syllabus and beyond. However, the French, because it is designed for Common Entrance, may lack some of the vocab required for GCSE and therefore it is necessary to download the vocab list to ensure that the pupil covers all the necessary vocab. I have been assured that it does cover all of the grammar requirements. Again, the books, especially the Latin one are quite traditional in their approach and they seem to work for my daughter. She was at senior school for a year and half a term and had learnt hardly any French at all, even though she got good grades. Having looked at the textbook, I was not surprised (Avance, I think it was). Again, too many pictures (many unrecognisable) and some very strange vocabulary!
For RE, we are using the "New Approach" series (Hinduism) - very clear content and layout.
For history and classical civilisation it is quite tricky. At the moment we are sticking to British social and local history, but it is difficult to find a book which covers it at Year 8 level. Ditto for classical civ. for which there is not even a text aimed at KS4 pupils. Although it is one of my strong subjects, it is hard to tailor it for her level.
For ICT, we are following the CLAIT syllabus and find that the books published by CIA Training, are very thorough, perhaps too much so.
I would be pleased if someone can advise me of a suitable English Language textbook, probably for Year 9. I don't think they had them at school and I really have no idea how to teach it for NC requirements.
We are not doing Geography or Science as I am too stupid to teach those so cannot recommend any texts.
However, I do strongly recommend the language books mentioned above, although I am not sure which other languages they cover.
Best wishes
Rosemary

I don't like any of the CGP books. There are too many pictures and not enough actual help in them. I know they are supposed to be revision aids but I think they are trying to be too cool.

I use the cambridge course books for Latin rosemary. I like it but then again I'm not that strong in latin.

Rosemary my friend's kid passed GCSE french (A*) after 6 weeks of coaching one hour a week. Which tells you the quality of ML teaching in schools!

TEXT BOOKS

Physics- David Sang (Cambridge) is a great GCSE book.
Understanding Chemistry for Advanced Level by Ted Lister ( very detailed. Good for top GCSE sets.

I've always rated the Heinemann books for maths. Esp edexcel but then I know others slate them. They have a clear lay out and easy to understand explainations. IMHO. I do love the B&S books though. They are a bit like MArks and Sparks you can't really go wrong.