January 2026 Teaching Science update
Happy New Year! In this months's update you can find useful information to support your teaching, including key dates, free CPD, refreshed AAQ resources and qualification news—all in one place. I hope you find it useful.
Best wishes,
Irine Muhiuddin
Science Subject Advisor
| Date | Activity | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 March 2026 | Release of January BTEC National external unit results to centres | ||
| 19 March 2026 | Release of January BTEC National external unit results to students | ||
| 20 March 2026 | Entry deadline for BTEC Nationals Summer 2026 exam series | ||
| 15 May 2026 | Standards verification first sampling deadline | ||
| 15 June 2026 | Second sampling deadline (if required) | ||
| 5 July 2026 | Deadline to report internally assessed unit grades on Edexcel Online for release of results in August. |
Exam Timetables
January 2026 and Summer 2026 timetables for all qualifications can be accessed from the link below.
We recently published the BTEC key dates and term-time checkpoints for 2025/26. While your exams officers will take the lead on most of these activities, your support will be important to help meet these deadlines, so it’s useful to be aware of what is required and when.
Our BTEC Quality Assurance Year planner outlines yearly quality assurance activities that take place during the year.
We have resources to help with planning and delivery, including:
- Planning and Teaching Guide
- Individual Unit Guides
- Scheme of Work
Transition guide
The mapping of the Pearson BTEC National AAQ in Applied Science to the Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Applied Science specification is provided in our transition guide.
New training videos now available
We’ve uploaded new training videos to help with delivering the practical requirements for Physics tasks in Unit 4:
BTEC National Applied Science - Task 3A: Investigating the rate of transfer of thermal energy
( 7.37 )
BTEC National Applied Science - Task 3B: Investigating resistivity in electrical circuits
( 7.18 )
BTEC National Applied Science - Task 3c: Energy transfer from a renewable resource
( 5.20 )
Youtube Video Title
Youtube video contentRelated Videos
BTEC National Applied Science - Task 3A: Investigating the rate of transfer of thermal energy
( 7.37 )
BTEC National Applied Science - Task 3B: Investigating resistivity in electrical circuits
( 7.18 )
BTEC National Applied Science - Task 3c: Energy transfer from a renewable resource
( 5.20 )
At the beginning of the PSAB under ‘instructions for teachers’ there is a list of practical equipment required for the procedures. This list is not exhaustive but does give an indication of the equipment required.
Updated Planning and Teaching Guide
We’ve refreshed the Planning and Teaching Guide for the BTEC Level 3 National AAQs in Applied Science.
The latest version includes updates designed to make planning, delivery and assessment easier, including the most recent guidance and clarifications for external Units 1-3.
You can download the updated guide from the course materials page, under ‘Teaching and Learning Materials’.
External assessment training
We also have new training being provided this Spring term in February to help teachers prepare for external assessment.
Additional Sample Assessment Materials – Coming Soon
We’re preparing an extra set of Sample Assessment Materials and aim to share more news in the Spring term. Keep an eye on the qualification page for updates.
examWizard
examWizard is an online resource containing a bank of past paper questions to help you create your own mock exams and tests. It’s available for GCSE, A Level subjects, and BTEC, so you can select suitable questions to prepare your own mocks and tests.
Complete Revision and Practice for Level 3 AAQ BTEC National in Applied Science
Paid-for published Revision and Practice resources are available if you’d like to consider them.
Please note: there is no compulsory requirement to purchase or use published resources to teach the course – schools and colleges are free to choose the resources they use to support teaching and delivery.
📅 22 January 2026 🕓 16:00 - 17:30 GMT📍 Online – Free to attend
We will be hosting a free online event to support teachers delivering Pearson Edexcel GCSE Science qualifications. The training offers a chance to network with fellow teachers and explore ideas and suggestions on how you, as a classroom teacher, can better support students who find the subject more challenging. You will:
- discuss strategies used in the classroom to help students develop skills that many struggle with
- observe the live-marking of responses, focusing on how the analysis and evaluation skills are awarded
- be provided with suggestions as to how to improve student responses that lack context.
A recording of the event will be available to attendees only.
📅 09 March 2026 🕓 16:00 - 17:30 GMT 📍 Online – Free to attend
This free online event, delivered by our Biology specialist, supports teachers delivering Pearson Edexcel GCSE Biology and GCSE Combined Science qualifications.
The training covers strategies to support the teaching of some biology concepts. You will:
- look at five key topics of biology that are often hard to teach/understand
- discover methods to approach each topic, whether you are teaching it for the first time or are a non-specialist teacher
- look at examples of practical approaches that enhance the material
- consider strategies to prepare students for questions on each topic to build confidence
- discover tips and tricks to help students with these tricky concepts.
Please note: a recording of the event will be available to attendees only. This event counts as 1.5 hours of CPD. You will receive an e-certificate by email, post attendance.
📅 04 June 2026 🕓16:00 - 17:00 📍 Online – Free to attend
This free online event is for teachers delivering the Pearson Edexcel GCSE science qualifications, including Combined Science, Chemistry, Physics and Biology.
The training offers a chance to network with fellow teachers and explore ideas and suggestions on how you, as a classroom teacher, can better support students who find the subject more challenging. You will:
- discuss the challenges facing lower-attaining students within the GCSE science qualifications
- collaborate with other GCSE science teachers to explore strategies for enhancing the scientific skills and knowledge of lower-attaining students.
Please note: a recording of the event will be available to attendees only. Subsequently, the recording will be added to the qualification website, secured behind a padlock, later in the term. This event counts as 1 hour of CPD. You will receive a certificate via email after the event.
A level
📅 24 March 2026 🕓16:00 - 17:00 GMT 📍 Online – Free to attend
This free online event supports teachers delivering Pearson Edexcel A Level Physics. The training focuses on equipping your learners with the skills needed to effectively answer the practical questions in Paper 3. You will:
- discuss strategies used in the classroom to help students develop this skill that many struggle with
- observe the live marking of responses of questions across Paper 3
- be provided with suggestions on how to improve student responses
Please note: a recording of the event will be available to attendees only within three days of the event. Subsequently, the recording will be added to the qualification website, secured behind a padlock, later in the term.
📅 25 March 2026 🕓16:00 - 17:00 GMT 📍 Online – Free to attend
This free online event supports teachers delivering Pearson Edexcel A Level Biology B. The training focuses on equipping your learners with the skills needed to effectively answer the practical questions in Paper 3. You will:
- discuss strategies used in the classroom to help students develop this skill that many struggle with
- observe the live marking of responses of questions across Paper 3
- be provided with suggestions on how to improve student responses
Please note: a recording of the event will be available to attendees only within three days of the event. Subsequently, the recording will be added to the qualification website, secured behind a padlock, later in the term.
📅 22 April 2026 🕓16:00 - 17:00 📍 Online – Free to attend
This free online event supports teachers delivering Pearson Edexcel A Level Physics. The training focuses on equipping your learners with the skills needed to effectively answer the practical questions in Paper 3. You will:
- discuss strategies used in the classroom to help students develop this skill that many struggle with
- observe the live marking of responses of questions across Paper 3
- be provided with suggestions on how to improve student responses
Please note: a recording of the event will be available to attendees only within three days of the event. Subsequently, the recording will be added to the qualification website, secured behind a padlock, later in the term.
📅 23 April 2026 🕓16:00 - 17:00 📍 Online – Free to attend
This free online event supports teachers delivering Pearson Edexcel A Level Physics. The training focuses on equipping your learners with the skills needed to effectively answer the practical questions in Paper 3. You will:
- discuss strategies used in the classroom to help students develop this skill that many struggle with
- observe the live marking of responses of questions across Paper 3
- be provided with suggestions on how to improve student responses
Please note: a recording of the event will be available to attendees only within three days of the event. Subsequently, the recording will be added to the qualification website, secured behind a padlock, later in the term.
BTEC
📅 9 February and 5 March 🕓16:00 - 17:30 📍 Online – Free to attend
During this session you will:
- Discuss the external assessment unit content
- Gain an overview of the assessment and its structure
- Discuss how to best prepare your learners to sit an external assessment
- Look at example questions and the accompanying mark schemes
Please be aware that this training is for ENGLAND CENTRES ONLY. You can register for the event from the training page or the events page.
📅 5 February and 4 March🕓 15.30 - 17:00 📍 Online – Free to attend
Get ready for internal assessment in BTEC National (AAQ) in Applied Science (2025). This event is suitable for centres in England and will cover a minimum of one mandatory unit plus another unit where applicable. Delegates will:
- Review the QA process for the BTEC National Level 3 qualifications
- Explore the assessment criteria and requirements for internal assessment.
- Look at some examples of assessment materials.
- Address common issues and frequently asked questions.
You can register for the events from the training page or the events page.
Dates: 20 January 2026 at 16:00 - 17:00 GMT
Join us for an introduction to the key responsibilities involved in the role of Quality Nominee. Throughout the session, we will provide suggestions and tips that will help you to make a success of the role and ensure confidence in the quality assurance of your BTEC provision. This is recommended as the first event that you access so that you can have an overview of what is involved; we will provide a clearer understanding of the other support available that will also enhance your role. This session is suitable for new Quality Nominees, those who may not have overseen BTEC qualifications before, or those returning to the role who would like a refresher of the responsibilities involved.
You can register from the quality assurance events and support page below and also view other training available.
📅 04 February 2026 🕓16:00 - 17:00 📍 Online – Free to attend
Join the Vocational Quality Assurance Managers (VQAMs) to get a hands-on understanding of:
- The BTEC National 2025 AAQ quality assurance model
- The roles of the Quality Nominee and Lead Internal Verifier
- Assessment and IV planning
- How to use Pearson Set Assignment Briefs (PSABs)
- The importance of timely standards verification
We'll also share tools, templates, and FAQs to help you manage programmes effectively and improve learner outcomes. This is your chance to see what's new in the BTEC National AAQs and how it differs from the current BTEC programmes. Please note, this event covers general quality assurance and is not subject specific.
Date: 10 March 2026 at 16:00 - 17:00 GMT. Events will take place 4-5pm.
This session is an excellent CPD opportunity aimed at new and experienced Lead
Internal Verifiers (LIVs). The session will take you through the key roles and responsibilities over the academic year with reference to the BTEC Entry/Level 1 to Level 3 annual quality assurance model. The event will cover team standardisation, the importance of assessment planning, internal verification planning, resubmissions and retakes and standards verification. It will also cover the quality assurance monitoring responsibilities as a Lead IV.
You can register from the quality assurance events and support page below and also view other training available.
General
On our Professional Development Academy training page you can watch pre-recorded events, such as 'New to Edexcel' training. You can also book onto training and look out for new events.
Find out more in our Pearson Professional Development Guide (page 8 for Science).
We also provide centre-based training opportunities. If this is something you would like to explore, please visit our training page below.
We’ve refreshed the Planning and Teaching Guide for the BTEC Level 3 National AAQs in Applied Science.
The latest version includes updates designed to make planning, delivery and assessment easier, and reflects the most recent guidance and clarifications.
Please share this update with your programme leads and teaching staff, and make sure everyone is using the latest guide.
You can download the updated guide from the course materials page, under ‘teaching and learning materials’.
We’ll be asking for a larger sample size when moderating internally assessed work. From June 2026 onwards this approach will apply to Entry Level Certificate qualifications. This change is designed to make moderation smoother and reduce the need for additional sample requests later in the year.
Read our email about changes to sample sizes
Ofqual has launched a consultation on proposals for how on-screen assessment should be regulated in GCSEs, AS and A levels in England. Whilst they propose a controlled introduction of on-screen assessment, pen-and-paper will remain central to most exams.
As teachers working directly with students, you understand their needs and the challenges this proposal may present. Your opinion counts.
The consultation closes on 5 March 2026. Please take a look and have your say.
The Curriculum and Assessment Review is an important milestone for education and skills in the UK – and it’s just the beginning.
We welcome the Review’s support for many of the recommendations we shared. All of these have been inspired by our work with schools and colleges across the country. And we’ll keep working to build an education system that empowers students, champions teachers, and drives the UK’s long-term success.
As we now move from ideas into further action, we’ll keep collaborating with educators, students, partners, sector experts to drive manageable and truly impactful change.
We’ve already started to do this and would love for you to join us in our next steps.
On 20 October the government published its Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper. We know you'll have questions about what this means for you and your students. Pearson want to provide you with clear information and reassurance.
Most importantly, you should continue to register your learners and deliver your programmes as planned for 2025/26. There are no immediate changes to your current provision, and BTECs continue to provide excellent outcomes for the thousands of students who choose vocational pathways each year.
As soon as we have full details about the funding arrangements for 2026/27, we’ll share them with you straight away, so you can plan with confidence.
Applied Science briefing: 17 March 2025 at 16:00 - 17:00 GMT
In the Post-16 Level 3 and Below Pathways consultation, the government has said that it will continue to defund existing larger qualifications in subject areas where T Levels are available with Science being a key area affected in the 2026/27 academic year. Our upcoming sector briefing can help you plan ahead.
Via the same link you can also book onto Medical Science and Health and Social Care breifings if you are interested in these sectors too.
A generation 2 T Level in Science will be delivered by Pearson from September 2026. Bookmark the T Level pages so you can keep up to date with updates to the qualification as they happen.
- T Level in Science page
- Read T Level updates
-
Read about T level success stories
Discover what employers, learning providers and students have to say about their experience of T Levels.
You can book a quick Teams meeting with me to talk about our Science qualifications and get the support you need.
Subject advisor
Irine Muhiuddin and Tim Lawrence
UK and International Science
