November 2025 Teaching Science update
Welcome to your November Teaching Science update! This month’s edition brings together everything you need to stay informed and supported in your teaching - from key dates and training opportunities, to the latest qualification news and classroom resources. Whether you're planning ahead or looking for the latest support, I hope you find this update useful.
Best wishes,
Irine Muhiuddin
Science Subject Advisor
| 12 December 2025 | Access to Scripts deadline |
Timetables can be viewed on the website.
We have published a BTEC key dates and term-time checkpoints document for 2025/26. While your Exams Officer 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. We also have a document outlining key annual quality assurance activities required for BTEC qualifications.
The standards verification first sampling deadline for internal units is the 15 May 2026.
📅 13 November 2025 🕓 16:00 - 17:30 GMT 📍 Online – Free to attend
A free online event, delivered by one of our credible specialists, has been designed to support teachers delivering Pearson Edexcel GCSE Science qualifications. The training will offer an opportunity to review a variety of exam questions from past papers and examine student exemplars. Participants will learn how to credit these exemplars correctly using guidance from examiners. You 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
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.
📅 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
We have launched a new Practical Endorsement training, designed to address the specific challenges you face and to provide comprehensive guidance and support for delivering the Practical Endorsement.
We have created three self-paced training courses, each tailored specifically for Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
Heads of Department must complete this training, and it is highly recommended that all staff in the department –particularly new teachers – complete this training too. Our learning portal allows you to work through the course in your own time, saving your progress as you go. This flexible approach means it can be used in a variety of different ways from INSET days to individual CPD.
Accessing our self-paced training courses:
- Click on the Register / Sign in link below and you will be taken to the course login page.
- Log in using your Edexcel Online details (or create a new account if you don’t have one).
- Once logged in, confirm the course you wish to take, and you will be directed to the enrolment page.
- Click to 'enrol' and then select ‘Go to dashboard’ where you can start your course.
Centre number confirmation and certificate of completion: It is important to provide your centre number on the platform to obtain a certificate of completion. This also allows us to track which centres have accessed the training materials and will be used by our Monitors when they provide you with feedback after a monitoring visit.
What teachers need to know
If you’ve already completed the previous Practical Endorsement training (the video recording), there’s no need to complete the new self-paced training.
Our ‘Understanding CPAC – Training Materials’ document on the qualification page is being refreshed to include links to the new training, but it will still keep the existing video link as a reference resource for those who find it helpful.
If you’re new and haven’t completed any Practical Endorsement training yet, you should work through the new self-paced training to make sure you’re up to date with our latest support.
📅 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 as to 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 as to 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
📅 13 November 2025 🕓16:00 - 17:00 📍 Online – Free to attend
This training will help you prepare to deliver the new BTEC National AAQ (2025) in Applied Science qualification.
The events are aimed at UK based teachers and the live sessions will meet the following objectives:
- Centres can confidently plan the delivery of the new qualifications at Level 3, based on their and their learners' needs.
- Centres have a clear view on the underpinning knowledge required to deliver the units.
- Centres identify how to use internal assessment support materials to inform teaching and learning and understand the standard.
The training will provide a general run-through of internal and external assessment. These areas will be covered in greater detail in our BTEC National (2025) ‘Getting Ready to Assess Internal Units’ and ‘Preparing Your Learners for External Assessment’ events.
You can register from the training page or the events page.
📅 18 November 2025 & 5 February 2026 🕓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.
📅 9 February 2026 🕓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.
📅 20 November & 15 December 2025 🕓16:00 - 17:30 📍 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.
- 19 November 2025 at 13:00 - 15:30 GMT at Belfast Metropolitan College
- 20 November 2025 at 10:00 - 12:30 GMT at Belfast Metropolitan College
We’re excited to say that your regional Vocational Quality Assurance Manager, Sally, and your Country Manager, Fiona, will be delivering free face-to-face networking events this November.
There are 2 dates available where you can meet with colleagues from a range of other centres, share best practice and explore key quality assurance topics for the year ahead. Join us to gain insights on:
- Qualification reform – receive the latest updates and available support
- The 25/26 quality assurance cycle for existing BTEC Entry/Level 1 to 3 qualifications
- Artificial intelligence – learn best practices for its positive application and prevention of AI misuse
- New support from the Vocational Quality Assurance Management Team
Please note, bookings are to be made by Quality Nominees. Additional bookings for other staff members in your centre will be moved to a waiting list.
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Register via the training page
(Bring up the events by searching for Belfast)
Date: 24 November. 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.
📅 18 November 2025 🕓07:00 - 09:30 GMT 📍 Online – Free to attend
Do you want to know why we Quality Assure (QA) our BTEC International Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications in the way that we do? This online training session will provide the answers by introducing Pearson's approach, explaining why we implement our processes and also provide support and guidance for centres to meet our QA requirements.
Delegates will:
- Understand Pearson's QA approach and how it helps centres meet the expectations of UK education
- Learn how to plan an effective quality calendar aligned to the quality process cycle
- Develop an understanding of the Annual Monitoring process and how to prepare for the EE visit and the completion of the APMR (required?)
- Learn how to track, monitor and award student performance through conducting effective assessment boards
- Understand how to engage students and staff in the QA process through the use of HN Global (Required, replace with Pearson Progress?)
- Know where to get additional help and support when delivering BTEC International Qualifications
This event counts as 2.5 hours of CPD
General
We also provide centre-based training opportunities. If this is something you would like to explore, please visit our training page below.
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.
Entry Level Certificate
We have published a new set of additional Sample Assessment Materials (SAMs) for ELC Science to support you and your learners. This complete set of six papers is now available on the qualifications page.
A second set of SAMs for Further Science ELC is already in development. We’ll keep you posted as they move closer to publication.
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
GCSE and A level
A fresh set of Maths in Science question papers and mark schemes were released in October. These are built using questions from the 2025 papers and you’ll find them under the silver padlock in 'Teaching and Learning Materials > Maths Support' section of the qualification page. These papers are perfect for:
- Helping students tackle maths questions in a science context
- Supporting revision and confidence-building
- Giving teachers extra practice materials
Previously released Maths in Science papers using question papers from the 2023 and 2024 series have now been unlocked so they are now freely accessible to all.
In the maths support section of the website you will also find videos and worksheets.
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.
BTEC
Teaching support materials are available to support you with delivering the new AAQ BTEC National in Applied Science for first teaching from September 2025. They can be found on the science qualification page. Links to some of these materials are provided below.
Centre standardisation materials are also available on the qualification page.
Published resources to support the new BTEC National AAQs are also available. You can find the links below. Please note that there is no compulsory requirement to purchase or use Pearson's paid resources.
We have available informal online Quality Assurance Catch-ups where you can get a quick reminder of where you and your staff should be in the quality assurance calendar. You can register via links provided in the document below.
A community group is available that covers everything Quality Assurance related for all our vocational and technical qualifications. It's run by Pearson's team of Vocational Quality Assurance Managers and is a quick and easy way to ask questions directly or collaborate with your colleagues in centres.
We have a BTEC Teaching, Learning and Assessment for page with the most up-to-date information and key dates for vocational assessment for this academic year.
We have a number of pages keeping you informed about qualification reform. Visit the pages below and keep up-to-date with the latest news.
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Find out more on our news page
Includes our response to the Government Skills White Paper and other news.
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Read about Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper - what it means for you
On 20 October the government published its white paper on Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper. We know you'll have questions about what this means for you and your students, and we want to provide you with clear information and reassurance. You can also have your say by taking part in the government consultation.
- Read about the future of Level 2 vocational qualifications
You can also keep up to date by signing-up to our updates and bulletins.
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
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Read about T level success stories
Discover what employers, learning providers and students have to say about their experience of T Levels.
Our new Investigative Science HPQ topic pathway is designed to enhance the practical skills and the independent investigative skills of students taking GCSE Science. It also allows students to explore areas of science that interests them.
Subject advisor
Irine Muhiuddin and Tim Lawrence
UK and International Science
