April 2025 Teaching Science update
Welcome to the April Teaching Science update for teachers of Pearson Edexcel Science qualifications. In this update you will find key dates, details of training events, information on new resources and other news items to support your teaching.
Included this update
- Science teacher Facebook groups
- Key dates
- Training and professional development
- Resources and support materials
- Qualification news and guidance
UK and International GCSE and A level Science Facebook groups
We are excited to announce the launch of our new Science Facebook groups for teachers of UK and International Edexcel GCSE and A level science qualifications. This follows the launch of similar groups for other subject areas in recent months. You can request to join the groups from the links below.
Visit our Facebook group for teachers of UK Science courses
Visit our Facebook group for teachers of International Science courses
You can also follow Pearson via social media to keep up-to-date with the latest news about our qualifications and services. Links are provided below.
Key dates
| 15 April | GCSE Core practical Headteacher declaration form deadline |
| 15 April | GCSE Astronomy Observation Statement deadline |
| 17 April | Deadline for requesting a Review of marking and moderation (ROMM) for the January 2025 exam series |
| 15 May | A level CPAC Headteacher declaration form and Endorsement grade deadline |
| 15 May | ELC assessment marks and sample deadline |
| 14 August | A level, International A Level and BTEC Level 3 results to candidates. |
| 21 August | GCSE, International GCSE and BTEC Level 2 results to candidates. |
Additional information, including links to required Headteacher forms, can be found below:
Centres must complete the Headteacher declaration form to confirm that reasonable steps have been taken to ensure each candidate sitting GCSE Science qualifications in May/June 2025 have completed the practical activities set by Pearson Edexcel Level 1/ Level 2 Biology (1BI0), Chemistry (1CH0), Physics (1PH0) and Combined Science (1SC0) qualifications. A link to the online declaration form is provided below.
Please submit this form before the deadline of 15 April 2025.
Please note, any failure by centres to provide the declaration will be treated as malpractice and/or maladministration. We have a document that addresses frequently asked questions related to the form and the conduct of practicals.
For all candidates taking GCSE Astronomy (1AS0) in the May/June 2025 exam series centres must complete the Observation Statement to confirm that reasonable steps have been taken to ensure each candidate has completed at least one unaided and one aided observation. A link to the Observation Statement has been provided below. From this year, only the Headteacher's signature is required; a teacher's signature is no longer needed.
The deadline to submit this statement is 15 April 2025.
Failure to submit the Observation Statement will be treated as malpractice and/or maladministration.
Centres are required to sign and send in the A level Science Head Teacher form by the 15 May to declare that students have completed the practical activities that meet the practical Endorsement requirements of the A level science specifications. You can access the Headteacher declaration form and accompanying CPAC FAQs below.
Endorsement Result
A ‘Pass’ (P) or ‘Not Classified’ (NC) decision for each student should also be submitted on Edexcel Online by 15 May. This can be done through the 'coursework marks' option on Edexcel Online. Please note, Edexcel Online (EOL) access and profile permissions are set by the Exams Officer at each centre. If the Exams Officer requires any support with EOL set up and permissions, then our Exams Officer support team should be contacted on 0344 463 2535.
The final date for submitting marks and samples for ELC assessments is 15 May in the year of certification. Please note, however, that your Exams Officer may have their own internal deadlines.
Our assessment record forms can be found on the links below along with guidance on submitting samples.
You can find BTEC term-time checkpoints and key dates for 2024/25 in our document below. The key dates have been scheduled to ensure BTEC results are delivered successfully to all learners expecting a result in Summer 2025.
BTEC key dates and term-time checkpoints 2024/25
If you're not happy with your students' results from the January exam series, you can take the following steps:
- View the grade boundaries, question papers, mark schemes and examiner reports for the paper/qualification concerned. View your students’ scripts using our free access to scripts service.
- Log in to ResultsPlus to see how your students have performed on every question for the externally assessed component and compare their performance to the national average.
- If you are still unhappy with your students' results, you may apply for a review of marking via our post-results services.
Full details of all our post-results services are available on our website.
How to apply for post-results services
Please speak to your Exams Officer if you wish to proceed with a review of marking or moderation. Exams officers should contact their Centre Account Specialist on 0344 463 2535 if they require guidance or watch our post results video. All applications for reviews of marking or moderation must be submitted through Edexcel Online.
Appeals
If you are dissatisfied with the outcome of a review of marking or moderation, you may wish to appeal against the decision. We will allow the head of centre (or designated member of the centre’s senior management team or examinations manager) 30 calendar days from the receipt of the outcome of the review of marking or moderation, during which an appeal may be lodged by filling in the form below. All appeals must be submitted by the entering centre. We cannot accept appeals directly from candidates, their parents or other third parties acting on their behalf. The only exception to this is if private candidates are appealing directly without the support of the entering centre. There is further guidance on appeals on our website.
The Joint Council for Qualifications has published their key dates document for the June 2025 exam cycle. Two dates have been set aside as contingency in the event of national or significant local disruption to exams in the UK:
- 11 June – afternoon session
- 25 June – full day
Download the JCQ Key dates in the examination cycle guide
Training and professional development
18 June 2025 at 16:00-17:30 BST
This free online event is intended to support teachers who are delivering Pearson Edexcel's GCSE Combined Science Biology, Chemistry and Physics specifications. The session will cover the extended open response requirements of the course and how to best prepare your learners to answer relevant questions.
You will:
- will explore strategies to support students with extended response questions
- identify areas for improvement in extended response questions
- develop your understanding of how extended open response questions are marked
- understand the requirements of our open response questions with specific command words.
07 July 2025 at 16:00-17:30 BST
This free online network is intended to support teachers who are delivering Pearson Edexcel's GCSE Combined Science Biology, Chemistry and Physics specifications.
You will:
- explore practical teaching and learning strategies for effective practical work
- explore ways to overcome barriers to maximise learning from these activities
- delve into strategies to support SEND learners in science practicals
- have opportunities to share good practices with colleagues
- explore resources from Pearson Edexcel to support all learners in developing their practical skills.
To help you prepare to deliver our new AAQ BTEC National (2025) in Applied Science qualification, we will be hosting Getting Started events. This will take place on the following date and time:
Applied Science | 12 May | 16:00 - 17:00 GMT
The event is 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.
- Centres know where to find support, via the website or specific roles within Pearson.
The training provides a general run through of internal and external assessment. These areas are 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 for the events from the training page or the events page.
Medical Science | 12 May 2025 at 16:30 - 18:00 GMT
Applied Science | 09 June 2025 at 15:30 - 17:00 GMT
This event is suitable for CENTRES IN ENGLAND ONLY. It will cover a minimum of one mandatory unit plus other units where applicable.
Delegates will:
- Explore the assessment criteria and requirements for internal assessment.
- Look at some examples of assessment materials.
- Address common issues and frequently asked questions.
Pearson has reviewed the format and content of all its training events to ensure the security of its examinations. This event can count as 1.5 hours of CPD. Please be aware that this event will be recorded and may be shared publicly.
A Medical Science/Applied Human Biology briefing event is taking place on 13 May 2025 at 4 pm. You can register your place and keep a look out for other sector briefings from the link below.
We're looking for knowledgeable and passionate individuals to become Pearson examiners for the 2025 exam series across a wide range of subjects. Becoming an examiner is a great way to deepen your subject expertise, spread your assessment knowledge within your department and acquire valuable insights into the assessment process, empowering you to better prepare your learners for their exams. You can enjoy the convenience of working remotely, fitting it around your other commitments, and augmenting your income. It can also help you build your professional networks and benefit from opportunities for progression and continuous professional development.
Resources and support materials
New teaching support materials have been released to support teachers with delivering the BTEC National AAQ Applied Science that is for first teaching from September 2025. They can be found on the science qualification page and links to them are also provided below.
Published resources to support the new BTEC National AAQs are being developed and you can request samples now.
Our Maths in Science worksheets and maths support videos are available on the GCSE Science qualification page in the 'Maths Support' section. More support videos will be produced soon. You will also find our 'Mathematics in Science practice papers' that we released earlier in the year.
To help you prepare GCSE Science students with summer exams we have short videos covering areas such as exam structure, short answer questions, calculations, graphs, extended open response questions and command words.
Pearson Edexcel (9-1) GCSE Science - Exam Boost sessions- #1 exam structure
( 9:40 )
Pearson Edexcel (9-1) GCSE Science - Exam Boost sessions # 2 - Tackling short answer questions
( 11:06 )
Pearson Edexcel (9-1) GCSE Science - Exam Boost sessions # 3 - Calculations
( 13:31 )
Pearson Edexcel (9-1) GCSE Science - Exam Boost sessions - #4 - Graphs
( 9.12 )
Pearson Edexcel (9-1) GCSE Science - Exam Boost sessions #5 - Extended open response questions
( 13:42 )
Pearson Edexcel (9-1) GCSE Science - Exam Boost sessions #6 - Command words
( 13:10 )
Youtube Video Title
Youtube video contentRelated Videos
Pearson Edexcel (9-1) GCSE Science - Exam Boost sessions- #1 exam structure
( 9:40 )
Pearson Edexcel (9-1) GCSE Science - Exam Boost sessions # 2 - Tackling short answer questions
( 11:06 )
Pearson Edexcel (9-1) GCSE Science - Exam Boost sessions # 3 - Calculations
( 13:31 )
Pearson Edexcel (9-1) GCSE Science - Exam Boost sessions - #4 - Graphs
( 9.12 )
Pearson Edexcel (9-1) GCSE Science - Exam Boost sessions #5 - Extended open response questions
( 13:42 )
Pearson Edexcel (9-1) GCSE Science - Exam Boost sessions #6 - Command words
( 13:10 )
With the revision season well under way we'd like to share our student guide with top tips on preparing for exams, where to find further support and what happens once exams end.
Download the guide and pass it on to your students.
Ofqual have provided information for students about arrangements for regulated qualifications. This explains what your students need to know before, during and after exams and assessments.
Ofqual Student Guide to Exams and Assessments in 2025
Qualification news and guidance
You can find the latest new for international GCSE and International A Level science qualifications. Please go to the recent update below where you can find the latest news for International
The Pearson Edexcel A Level Biology A 9BN0 (SNAB) Paper 3 Scientific Article for the Summer 2025 exam series is available for secure download from the qualification page from the 'Course Materials' section. A direct link to the article has also been provided below.
The article can be given to students so they can study and annotate it in preparation for the Paper 3 examination paper 9BN0/03. Students are not allowed to take their annotated copy into the examination room - there will be a fresh copy provided inside the examination paper.
In December the DfE published the outcome of their review of post-16 qualification reform. The aim of the review was to determine which qualifications will be funded for 16-19 learners in England for the 2025/26 academic year. You can read about BTEC reform news via our dedicated webpage.
Our BTEC level 3 funding guide provides details of funding arrangements for all level 3 BTECs:
The defunding of some RQF BTEC Nationals qualifications from 1 August 2025 will affect centres using a top-up model with their learners; please read the information and guidance in the update below.
We held briefing sessions in January that provide information and guidance too; links to the recordings are provided below.
A reminder that students sitting Pearson GCSE Physics and Combined Science (Physics) exams in 2025, 2026, and 2027 will continue to be supported with an equation sheet insert as they were in 2024. Clean copies of the equation sheet will be included with the exam papers for 2025, 2026, and 2027.
The equation sheet for exams this year is available on the Science qualification page. This can be given to students so they can become familiar with it ahead of their exams. A link to it is also provided below.
We have sent communications to centres highlighting new research published by The Royal Society of Chemistry which suggests a need for reconsidering explanations based on inductive effects of alkyl groups (Mark C Elliott et al, Journal of Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, Issue 2, 2025). In case you missed the communications, links to them are provided below. These detail the specification points the research findings are relevant to, and what this means for you and your learners.
Subject advisor
Irine Muhiuddin
Science
