December 2024 Teaching Science update
Welcome to the December Teaching Science update for Pearson Edexcel Science qualifications at KS4 and KS5 covering GCSE, A level and BTEC qualifications. In this update, you will find the latest news on equation sheets for GCSE and International GCSE physics papers, find out about new maths and practical support resources for GCSE Science, and obtain details about upcoming training events for Spring 2025. These events include reform briefing sessions for BTEC in January.
GCSE Science qualification news
The Ofqual consultation on equation sheets concluded last month and as a result we can inform you 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 the 2025 exams is available on the Science qualification page for you to use with your students so they can become familiar with it ahead of their exams. Please find the link to download it below.
If you would like to read the full Ofqual consultation outcome, please visit the Ofqual website - see link provided below.
We have released three practical support booklets on Apparatus, Terminology and Safety in the Lab. These have been designed to support students and containing key definitions, exemplars and examiners guidance and sets of exam style questions complete with mark schemes. These new resources are on the science qualification page. Links to them are also provided below.
We have new GCSE Maths in Science worksheets available to support your students. There are three worksheets on 'Standard Form', 'Decimal Places and Significant Figures', and 'Tables, Charts and Graphs'. All worksheets are available to download from the GCSE Science qualification page under 'Teaching and learning materials' in the 'Maths and practical support' section. They are also available to download from the Science Emporium. Direct links to these are also provided below for your convenience.
29 January 2025 at 16:00 - 18:00 GMT
In this exciting online event, we will share innovative ideas on teaching the mathematical elements of science. Our science credible specialist, Glenn Patterson, will be joined by mathematicians Chris Seagal and Mel Muldowney from JustMaths.
They will also share top tips on using our latest free maths in science resources to enhance your teaching and learning. This session is intended to support teachers who are delivering Pearson Edexcel GCSE science and mathematics qualifications as well as numeracy coordinators.
This event will provide delegates with strategies, practical resources, and collaborative opportunities to:
• teach challenging mathematical concepts in an engaging and accessible way within science lessons
• develop your students’ ability to apply their mathematical knowledge to scientific topics
• equip your students with the analytical skills they need to excel in both subjects
• collaborate and network with peers to share best practices and develop cross-curricular lesson ideas.
Please note: a recording of the event will be available to attendees only within three days of the event. This event counts as 2 hours of CPD.
You will receive an e-certificate by email, post attendance.
[Event Fee (GBP): Free] [Pearson Event Code: 1SC0-25O1/01]
To book go to the linking link below and use the 'GCSE' filter.
11 March 2025 at 16:00 - 17:30 GMT
This free online event, delivered by our chemistry specialist, is intended to support teachers who are delivering Pearson Edexcel GCSE Chemistry and GCSE Combined Science qualification.
The trainer will be covering strategies to support the teaching of some chemistry concepts. You will look at:
- five key topics of chemistry that are often hard to teach/understand
- ways to approach each topic if you are teaching it for the first time, or if you are a non-specialist teacher
- examples of practical approaches that enhance the material
- strategies to prepare students for questions on each topic to build confidence
- tips and tricks to help students with these tricky concepts.
Please note: a recording of the event will be available to attendees only within three days of the event. This event counts as 1.5 hours of CPD. You will receive an e-certificate by email, post attendance.
[Event Fee (GBP) Free] [Pearson Event Code 1CH0-25O1/01]
To book, go to the linking link below and use the 'GCSE' filter to bring up the event.
A level news
13 February 2025 at 16:00 - 17:30 GMT
The trainer will be covering the mathematical requirements of the course and how best to prepare your learners in answering relevant questions.
You will:
- improve your knowledge of key mathematical concepts in the specification content
- discuss teaching approaches to help students develop their mathematical skills
- look at specimen questions and mark schemes in order to interpret questions more accurately
- address common issues and frequently asked questions.
Please note: A recording of the event will be available to attendees within three days of the event.
This event counts as 1.5 hours of CPD and will receive an e-certificate by email, post attendance.
[Event Fee (GBP) Free] [Pearson Event Code: 9BI0-25O2/01]
To book, please go to the training link below and use the 'A level' filter to bring up the event.
This spring we will be hosting free online training events to support teachers with preparing learners to answer questions targeting the AO3 assessment objective.
These will take place on the following dates:
- A Level Biology A and B: 20 March 2025 at 16:00-17:00 GMT
- A Level Chemistry 26 March 2025 at 16:00 - 17:00 GMT
- A Level Physics 27 March 2025 at 16:00 - 17:00 GMT
At these events you will:
• discuss strategies used in the classroom to help students develop this skill 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.
This event counts as 1 hour of CPD and you will receive an e-certificate by email, post attendance.
To book, please go to the training link below and use the 'A level' filter to bring up the event.
An additional Paper 3 question paper (9CH0_03) and its accompanying mark scheme is now available on the A level Chemistry qualification page in the 'Teaching and Learning materials' section under 'Exemplar Materials'. This can be used as a teaching resource to prepare candidates for Paper 3 General and Practical Principles in Chemistry.
On the Pearson UK educators YouTube channel, we have recordings of A level Biology and A level Physics Summer 2024 Exam Insight events. These sessions 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. A recording of the A level Chemistry Insights event will be available soon.
International Science qualification news
Pearson will continue to provide students with an equation sheet for International GCSE Physics, Science Double Award and Single Award (Physics) in 2025, 2026 and 2027. Please read the update below to find out more.
You can find pre-recorded training and look out for new training opportunities via our Professional Development Academy page. This includes training for International A Level Biology 'Exam Insights May/June 2024' taking place on the 16 January 2025 at 09:00-10:00 GMT.
You can find answers to frequently asked questions for Pearson Edexcel International GCSE and International A Level science courses in an earlier update.
BTEC National AAQs from September 2025
As stated last year in this update, the DfE announced Pearson Level 3 qualifications AAQ qualifications in Applied Science and Medical Science were approved for funding for first teach September 2025. Both these qualifications have been built in partnership with higher education institutes and employers, ensuring they are future focused and deliver learners the skills and knowledge they need to succeed.
You can view the new BTEC National Applied Science and Medical Science AAQ specifications from the links below.
You can keep up-to-date with all BTEC reforms from our web pages below.
We are hosting an online 'BTEC Post 16 Levels 2 and 3 briefing session for Applied Science' on the 14 January 2025 at 16:00 - 17:00 GMT.
These sessions are for centres in England only and will focus on the impact of Government reforms on post 16 qualifications and funding. You will hear our latest updates in response to the Government's announcement (scheduled for December) after the pause and review and have the opportunity to ask questions or hear from other centres who may have questions of their own.
[Event Fee (GBP) Free] [Pearson Event Code 25UKASNB02]
We are hosting an online 'BTEC Post 16 Levels 2 and 3 briefing session for Medical Science' on the 7 January 2025 at 16:00 - 17:00 GMT.
These sessions are for centres in England only and will focus on the impact of Government reforms on post 16 qualifications and funding. You will hear our latest updates in response to the Government's announcement (scheduled for December) after the pause and review and have the opportunity to ask questions or hear from other centres who may have questions of their own.
[Event Fee (GBP)Free] [Pearson Event Code25UKASNB01]
With January exams approaching a reminder that we provide BTEC Level 3 Nationals in Applied Science Additional Guidance documents for Unit 1 (Principles and Applications of Science I) and Unit 5 (Principles and Applications of Science II).
The Additional Guidance documents can be found in the 'Course Materials' section of the website, under 'Specification and sample assessments'.
For your convenience, links to the Additional Guidance documents are provided below.
January and May/June timetables can be viewed on our website.
We have a Teaching, Learning and Assessment 2024/25 web page which will contain the most up-to-date information and key dates on vocational assessment for this academic year.
We send out regular Vocational Qualification Bulletins to keep centres informed of our support and services. You can sign-up for these and read previous bulletins on our website.
Sign-up to receive regular vocational qualification bulletins
Read previous vocational qualification bulletins on our website
Other support
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, and support materials to enable you to teach our qualifications and help your students with assessments and post-results support.
Our new enhanced Qualifications Support Portal has been designed to make getting help quicker and easier than ever.
A new contact-us journey enables you to connect quickly with our support teams in the way that suits you; via live-chat for real-time assistance, or webform, as well as traditional phone or email routes. You can use your Pearson Portal (Edexcel Online) credentials to access secure personalised support even faster, and view your existing cases.
Our comprehensive support article library has also been restructured with sections specific to teachers, as well as stronger search functions, to resolve your own queries quickly and easily.
Staying up to date with news
You can sign-up to receive email alerts for my updates via our web form - see link provided below.
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.
You can follow Pearson on socials to keep up to date with the latest news about our qualifications and services.
Subject advisor
Irine Muhiuddin
Science
