July 2024 Teaching Science update

We'd like to gather your thoughts on any CPD we offer and requests for future training. We hope you will have a moment to fill in the survey and share with us the training support you would like from us going forward.

• Take the survey and share your feedback

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• Take the Survey now

Our summer post exam survey is still open for feedback on this year's exam papers. We wish to provide students with the best possible exam experience and your insights are crucial in helping us to achieve this goal.  Please take a few moments to complete our survey - your input will be shared with our senior examiners and across our subject teams to help us continuously improve our assessments. 

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On our general qualifications assessment support page you can find news, information and updates from Ofqual, the DfE, JCQ and Pearson relating to exams and assessments for our GCSE, AS and A level qualifications.

It will be updated regularly with the latest announcements, news, support materials to enable you to teach our qualifications and help your students with assessments and post-results support.

• Go to the assessment support page

For information and support related to Summer results days, please read the 'Getting ready for results day' update below where you will find all the information you need related to the results period.

• Read the 'Getting ready for results day' update for support and guidance

25 September 2024 at 16:00 - 17:30 GMT

Join us for a free collaborative network event delivered by the Pearson Edexcel science team and our special guest, literacy-in-science expert and experienced teacher, Paula Bull.

In this after-school session we will be covering all the latest news from Pearson Edexcel and providing you with a reminder of our key support resources and events coming up for the autumn term.

Join expert teacher, Paula Bull, as she provides actionable strategies to help learners with literacy difficulties master the extensive vocabulary required for their science GCSEs.

Paula will share some great ideas and there will be an opportunity for you to ask her questions. We will link the ideas discussed to our science specifications, so you can apply the knowledge you gain to your own classrooms.

We’d love you to join us along with many other science teachers from around the country to kick start the new term!

Event Fee (GBP) Free | Pearson Event Code1SC0-24ON2/01 |

• Register here

01 October 2024 at 16:00 - 17:30 GMT

This training is for teachers of the Pearson Edexcel GCSE Combined Science Physics specification and will provide feedback and insights on the May/June 2024 exam series.

The session will focus on the performance of some of the key questions in the series and provide analysis to support.

The session will point out key statistical performance data that may help with your planning for the year ahead.Delegates will:

• receive feedback on the performance of candidates in the May/June 2024 exam series• consider the variation of candidates’ performance on different questions and explore why performance varies
• receive key points from the Examiner’s Report
• address common issues and FAQs. Please note the Examiner report/s will be available on the Pearson website on Results Day.

• Find out more and register your place

15 October 2024 at 16:00 - 17:30 GMT

This training is for teachers of the Pearson Edexcel GCSE Combined Science Physics specification and will provide feedback and insights on the May/June 2024 exam series.

The session will focus on the performance of some of the key questions in the series and provide analysis to support.

The session will point out key statistical performance data that may help with your planning for the year ahead. Delegates will:

• receive feedback on the performance of candidates in the May/June 2024 exam series
• consider the variation of candidates’ performance on different questions and explore why performance varies
• receive key points from the Examiner’s Report
• address common issues and FAQs. Please note the Examiner report/s will be available on the Pearson website on Results Day.

• Find out more and register your place

23 October 2024 at 16:00-17:30 GMT

This training is for teachers of the Pearson Edexcel GCSE Combined Science Physics specification and will provide feedback and insights on the May/June 2024 exam series.

The session will focus on the performance of some of the key questions in the series and provide analysis to support.

The session will point out key statistical performance data that may help with your planning for the year ahead. Delegates will:

• receive feedback on the performance of candidates in the May/June 2024 exam series
• consider the variation of candidates’ performance on different questions and explore why performance varies
• receive key points from the Examiner’s Report
• address common issues and FAQs. Please note the Examiner report/s will be available on the Pearson website on Results Day.

• Find out more and register your place

04 November 2024 at 16:00 - 17:30 GMT | Free | Event Code 1SC0-24O4/01

This training session repeats the content from last year's 'Running and Marking Mocks' event. This online event is designed for teachers who are delivering, or about to deliver, the Pearson Edexcel GCSE Science qualifications.

The session provides an opportunity to look at a mixture of exam questions from previous papers and to see student exemplars and how they should be credited using guidance from examiners and presented by one of Pearson Edexcel's ' credible specialists. Delegates will:

• discuss the different approaches to running, marking and moderating mock exams
• look at a variety of sample assessment questions and discuss marking
• discuss marked exemplars of exam responses

• Register here

We provide pre-recorded training for teachers who are delivering the Pearson Edexcel specification for the first time. Visit our training page to access the recording.

• Go to the training page

We recently made some minor changes to the GCSE Science specifications. Details of these changes are summarised at the very start of the updated specifications which can be downloaded from the qualification page. Please ensure you are using the most up-to-date version of the specifications.

GCSE Combined Science 2.7 MB pdf /content/dam/pdf/GCSE/Science/2016/Specification/gcse-combinedscience-spec.pdf false GCSE Biology 1.2 MB pdf /content/dam/pdf/GCSE/Science/2016/Specification/gcse-biology-spec.pdf false GCSE Chemistry 2.5 MB pdf /content/dam/pdf/GCSE/Science/2016/Specification/gcse-chemistry-spec.pdf false GCSE Physics 1.2 MB pdf /content/dam/pdf/GCSE/Science/2016/Specification/gcse-physics-spec.pdf false

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This online event will cover the requirements of the Practical Endorsement for the Pearson Edexcel A Level science qualifications, building on the existing required training

We will look at ways to improve your understanding of the Common Practical Assessment Criteria (CPAC) in order to further develop your teaching skills.

You will look at:

• assessing students according to the CPAC guidance – we will use real examples to demonstrate how to assess students work and how to efficiently track progress 
• preparing for a monitoring visit and how to use our support resources to help you
• strategies to adapt/scaffold the teaching of necessary practical skills and techniques.

To encourage purposeful discussions and avoid repetition, we strongly recommend you watch the ‘Managing and Assessing the Practical Endorsement for A Level Sciences’ video prior to the event.

Date and time of this event: 26 September 2024 at 16:00 - 17:30 GMT

Event Fee (GBP) Free | Pearson Event Code 9SC0-24ON1/01

• Register here

This Autumn we will be providing a training event for teachers that will provide feedback and insights on the May/June 2024 exam series for Pearson Edexcel A Level Physics.

The session will focus on the performance of some of the key questions in the series and provide analysis to support. It will also point out key statistical performance data that may help with your planning for the year ahead.

In summary delegates will:

• receive feedback on the performance of candidates in the May/June 2024 exam series
• consider the variation of candidates’ performance on different questions and explore why performance varies
• receive key points from the Examiner’s Report
• address common issues and FAQs.

Date and time of this event: 21 October 2024 at 16:00-17:00 BST

• Register here

News on other A level Science Exam Insight events will be included in future updates. You can look out for these on our training page.

We provide pre-recorded training for teachers who are delivering the Pearson Edexcel specification for the first time. Visit our training page to access the recordings.

• Go to the training page

We recently made some minor changes to the AS and A level Chemistry specifications. Details of these changes are summarised at the very start of the updated specifications which can be downloaded from the qualification page. Please ensure you are using the most up-to-date version of the specifications (Issue 3) provided below.

GCE A Level Chemistry 2.0 MB pdf /content/dam/pdf/A Level/Chemistry/2015/Specification and sample assessments/a-level-chemistry-2015-specification.pdf false GCE AS Chemistry 1.6 MB pdf /content/dam/pdf/A Level/Chemistry/2015/Specification and sample assessments/as-chemistry-2015-specification.pdf false

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You can view upcoming training opportunities and look out for new training on our Professional Development Academy page.

A list of events available in the near future is provided below. 

• Understanding Assessment and Improving Delivery in Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Biology 17 July 2024 at 09:00-15:00 IST
• Understanding Assessment and Improving Delivery in Pearson Edexcel International A Level Biology 18 July 2024 at 09:00-15:00 IST
• Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Physics: Welcome to Pearson (Module 1) 02 September 2024 at 09:00-11:00 BST
• Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Physics: Welcome to Pearson (Module 2) 03 September 2024 at 09:00-11:00 BST
• Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level Physics: Welcome to Pearson (Module 1) 04 September 2024 at 09:00-11:00 BST
• Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level Physics: Welcome to Pearson (Module 2) 05 September 2024 at 09:00-11:00 BST
• Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Biology: Welcome to Pearson (Module 1) 10 September 2024 at 09:00-11:00 BST
• Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Biology: Welcome to Pearson (Module 2) 16 September 2024 at 09:00-11:00 BST
• Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level Biology: Welcome to Pearson (Module 1) 23 September 2024 at 09:00-11:00 BST
• Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Chemistry: Welcome to Pearson (Module 2) 24 September 2024 at 09:00-11:00 BST
• Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level Biology: Welcome to Pearson (Module 2) 25 September 2024 at 09:00-11:00 BST
• Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level Chemistry: Welcome to Pearson (Module 2) 26 September 2024 at 09:00-11:00 BST
• Understanding Assessment and Improving Outcomes in Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Chemistry (Module 1) 30 September 2024 at 13:00-15:00 BST

• Go to the Professional Development Academy page to register and view all training opportunities

Modular Intenational GCSE Science qualifications are for first teaching from September 2024 with first assessment May/June 2025. Information on modular International GCSEs and specifications can be obtained from our website and International Science guide - see links provided below.

The present linear specifications are not being removed and will continue to be available. There will simply be a choice between the existing specifications following the linear assessment route, or the new specifications that will follow a modular assessment route. Please note, the modular assessment route will not be available for students based in the UK.

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• Go to the modular International GCSE webpage
• International GCSE Biology (Modular)
• International GCSEs Chemistry (Modular)
• International GCSE Physics (Modular)
• International GCSE Science (Double Award) (Modular)

Every month we release Pearson Edexcel View from the Lab Podcasts. These aim to inform, engage and entertain with the help of thought leaders, science journalists and education specialists, joining us for each episode.

The latest episode is titled 'Microchemistry in the school lab with Bob Worley' where Andy Woods from the Pearson Edexcel Science team talks to practical science champion Bob Worley from CLEAPSS. He's a true superstar in the world of school chemistry practicals and is at the vanguard of the microchemistry approach and inspires technicians and teachers in school laboratories in the UK and across the world with his approach.

Bob taught Chemistry for many years before joining the school safety organization CLEAPSS. At CLEAPSS he has worked on debunking many myths about practicals including which are safe or unsafe to carry out with or by students. In this episode we talk about his career and his microchemistry escapades that have inspired so many across the world.

Listen to this episode and catch-up on any that you have missed using the link provided below.

• Listen to 'View from the Lab Podcasts'

We have a Teaching, Learning and Assessment 2023/24 web page which will contain the most up-to-date information and key dates on vocational assessment for this academic year. 

• Visit our Teaching, Learning and Assessment 2023/24 webpage

We send out regular Vocational Qualification Bulletins to keep centres informed of our support and services. You can sign-up for these and also read previous bulletins on our website.

Sign-up to receive regular vocational qualification bulletins 

Read previous vocational qualification bulletins on our website

View the latest BTEC Science update on the science news page and keep an eye out for new updates.

• Science news page

You can sign-up to recieve email alerts to my updates via our web form - see link provided below.

• Sign-up to email alerts via the Pearson web form

Pearson general qualifications bulletins are sent regularly providing you with key information and updates on our qualifications and assessments for both UK and International centres. You can sign-up to receive these from the link below.

• Read and sign-up to Pearson Qualification bulletins