September teaching science update | Pearson qualifications

September teaching science update

6 September 2022

September teaching science update

Welcome back to the start of the new academic year - we hope you have had a good summer break.  In this update you can find news, information and training availability for teachers delivering GCSE, A level, International GCSE and IAL Pearson Science qualifications.

Read more

Results day information and support

Following the release of results, if you need information and support with post results services, please refer to the update posted over the summer below.

Arrangements for A level and GCSE 2023 assessments

Subject content and assessment arrangements for practical work in GCSE and A level Sciences for the academic year 2022/23 have been confirmed in an update from the DfE.

As mentioned in this update, for the 2023 cohort Ofqual have confirmed the usual arrangements for practical science. This means that we will go back to arrangements that were in place pre-Covid. The DfE will review exam aids, such as the Physics formula sheet, and other assessment issues after the summer 2022 exam series.

All the practical support we provide for GCSE Sciences, GCSE Astronomy and A level Sciences can be found on qualification pages under 'Course Materials' in the 'Teaching and Learning materials' section. This includes worksheets for GCSE and A level Sciences amongst other useful teaching materials.

Back-to-School event for GCSE and A level Sciences

To support teachers going back-to-school after the summer break we are hosting a Back to School event for GCSE and A level Sciences helping you prepare for the new academic year. Details are provided below:

21 September 2022 at 16:00-17:00 BST

Our free online update will:

- Give you an overview of GCSE and A level results this summer, with some information on how grades were awarded
- Remind you of the post-results services and support available
- Make sure that you understand the latest DfE / Ofqual guidance relating to teaching and assessment for your current students
- Give you an opportunity to ask questions to the Science team

Please note: a recording of the event will be available to attendees only

Pearson Edexcel A level Science New to Edexcel training events

We are hosting A level Science New to Edexcel online events designed for teachers who are moving to Pearson Edexcel or delivering the Pearson Edexcel specification for the first time. This will support you in getting ready to teach the A level Science specifications - see dates and times of events below.

A level Biology A : New to Edexcel 3 October 2022 at 16:00-18:00 BST
A level Biology B : New to Edexcel 4 October 2022 at 16:00-18:00 BST
A level Chemistry: New to Edexcel 6 October 2022 at 16:00-18:00 BST
A level Physics: New to Edexcel 4 October 2022 at 16:00-18:00 BST

At these events delegates will:
- Consider the structure and content of the new specification
- Explore possible teaching and delivery strategies
- Review the question papers and mark schemes
- Find out more about the support available
- Have the opportunity to discuss best practice and share ideas.

Please note: a recording of the events will be available to attendees only.

Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Science Online Network

We are also hosting an Online Network on 'Making effective use of explanations in science lessons' - with Adam BoxerDetails of this event with a link to register are provided below.

3 October 2022 at 16:00-17:30 BST
Join well known twitter icon and author of the best-selling book 'Teaching Secondary Science - A complete guide' (Adam Boxer) for a FREE online event focused on:
- Identifying when you're giving a poor explanation
- The lost art of a good explanation
- Two simple strategies to improve any explanation in the classroom
This event is open to all teachers of secondary science who are interested in ways to improve their teaching practice.
Please note: a recording of the event will be available to attendees only.

Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Sciences: Running and Marking Mocks 

9 November 2022 at 16:00-18:00 GMT

We are hosting an online event designed for teachers who are delivering or about to deliver the Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Science qualifications. At this event 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.

Please note: As this session may be repeated, and to ensure recorded content is not accessed by undisclosed third parties, it is Pearson’s policy not to share recordings for paid training events.

Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Science Online Network: Optimising retrieval practice in science with Adam Boxer

21 November 2022 at 16:00-17:30 GMT

Top trainer and best-selling author Adam Boxer returns to join us at Pearson Edexcel for our second GCSE Science Network of the Autumn term. This training is open to all science teachers regardless of their current awarding body. In this event Adam will be delving into the finer details of retrieval practice and will be sharing some great ideas to optimise it for your students.

In the session he will cover:
- Theory of retrieval practice
- Application in the classroom
- Starters
- Using prerequisite knowledge checks
- Interleaved practice
- How to use homework effectively with retrieval practice

Places are capped at this FREE event so if you'd like to join us, please register today.

Please note: a recording of the event will be available to attendees only.

View from the Lab Podcast

In the final episode of the ‘early career teacher series’ we talk to Vicky Hilditch about how she found the final few weeks of the Summer term and reviews the year as a whole. 

Pearson Edexcel A level Science Lab books

You maybe interested to know that the A level Lab books have been reworked by the Pearson publishing team. The new editions are now mapped to the CPAC tracking spreadsheet and have more space for students to show independent planning. They are now available from the publishing site.

Please note, you are free to decide which resources you use to teach the A level courses and there is no compulsory requirement to purchase any paid-for resources. Other free resources created by the A Level qualification team to support you with delivery, including practical worksheets, can be found on the 'teaching and learning' sections of the qualification pages.

GCSE Astronomy - vacancy for the Chair of Examiners

We are currently recruiting for a Chair of Examiners for GCSE Astronomy. More information can be found on our recruitement page. Closing date is 30 September 2022 at midnight.

International GCSE Science and IAL Science training

We have several training events taking place this Autumn term to support teachers delivering International GCSE and IAL Sciences. Please visit our Professional Development Academy for more details, updates and to register your place.

Training Event Date and time
International GCSE/Advanced Level Physics: Bridging the gap 03 October 2022 at 08:00-10:00 BST
Understanding assessment and improving delivery in International GCSE Physics (Module 1)
04 October 2022 at 08:00-10:00 BST
Understanding assessment and improving delivery in International GCSE Physics (Module 2) 05 October 2022 at 08:00-10:00 BST
Understanding assessment and improving delivery in International GCSE Sciences (Module 1) 10 October 2022 at 08:00-10:00 BST
Understanding assessment and improving delivery in International GCSE Biology (Module 1) 11 October 2022 at 08:00-10:00 BST
Understanding assessment and improving delivery in International GCSE Sciences (Module 2) 12 October 2022 at 08:00-10:00 BST
Understanding assessment and improving delivery in International GCSE Biology (Module 2)
12 October 2022 at 08:00-10:00 BST
Understanding assessment and improving delivery in International GCSE Chemistry (Module 1) 18 October 2022 at 08:00-10:00 BST
Understanding assessment and improving delivery in International GCSE Chemistry (Module 2) 20 October 2022 at 08:00-10:00 BST
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE/Advanced Level Chemistry: Bridging the gap 28 October 2022 at 08:00-10:00 BST
International GCSE/Advanced Level Teaching and Learning Strategies for Sciences (Part 1) 01 November 2022 at 08:00-10:00 GMT
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Biology: Welcome to Pearson (Module 1) 3 November 2022 at 09:00-11:00 GMT
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Physics: Welcome to Pearson (Module 1) 3 November 2022 at 09:00-11:00 GMT
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Physics: Welcome to Pearson (Module 2) 7 November 2022 at 09:00-11:00 GMT
 
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE/Advanced Level Teaching and Learning Strategies for Sciences (Part 2) 08 November 2022 at 08:00-10:00 GMT
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE and International A Level: Welcome to Pearson (Module 3) Early November 10 November 2022 at 09:00-10:00 GMT
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Biology: Welcome to Pearson (Module 2) 10 November 2022 at 09:00-11:00 GMT
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE and International A Level: Welcome to Pearson (Module 3) November 24 November 2022 at 09:00-10:00 GMT
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE and International A Level: Welcome to Pearson (Module 3) 7 December2022 at 09:00-10:00 GMT

Subject advisor

×

Are you sure you want to exit this session?