Science
January 2025 Teaching Science update
Welcome to the January Teaching Science update for Pearson Edexcel Science qualifications. In this update you will find information on training events for Spring 2025 and other news items to support your teaching.
GCSE Science qualification news
29 January 2025 at 16:00 - 18:00 GMT [Event Fee: Free] [Pearson Event Code: 1SC0-25O1/01]
As part of maths support we are hosting an online event where 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 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.
To book, go to the linking link below and use the 'GCSE' filter.
New GCSE Maths in Science worksheets were released last term designed 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 the resources are also provided below.
Earlier in the year, we also released 'Mathematics in Science' practice papers to use with your students. Direct links to these are provided below. They are also available on the qualification page and the Science Emporium.
In case you missed the news, the Ofqual consultation on equation sheets concluded 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 so students can become familiar with it ahead of their exams. A link to it is also provided below.
If you would like to read the full consultation outcome, please visit the Ofqual website - see link provided below.
New practical support booklets on Apparatus, Terminology and Safety in the Lab were all available towards the end of last term. If you have not seen these new resources, they can be found on the science qualification page. Links to them are also provided below.
11 March 2025 at 16:00 - 17:30 GMT
To support teachers who are delivering Pearson Edexcel GCSE Chemistry and GCSE Combined Science qualifications, we will be hosting a free online event that will be delivered by our chemistry specialist.
They will be covering strategies to support the teaching of some chemistry concepts and 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 will count 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.
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.
A level news
We have produced exemplar packs to support A level science teachers. The packs contain booklets that look at questions from the June 2024 exam paper and show real student responses and how the examining team follow the mark schemes to award marks.
The exemplar packs can be downloaded from the qualification pages in the 'Teaching and Learning Materials' section. Links to them are also provided below.
Please note, the new Physics exemplar materials will be uploaded soon in January. Please keep an eye on the link above.
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.
Last term we hosted an online event that covered the requirements of the Practical Endorsement for the Pearson Edexcel A Level science qualifications, building on the existing required training. A recording of this event is now available on the Pearson UK & International Schools youTube channel - see link below.
We now have recordings of all the A level Science Summer 2024 Exam Insight events on our Pearson UK educators YouTube channel. These sessions focus on the performance of some of the key questions in the series and point out key statistical performance data that may help with your planning.
📣Calling all Chemistry teachers!
Are you interested in gaining insights into the assessment and marking process? There are opportunities to join our Senior Examiner workforce for A level Chemistry.
Please note, both examining roles may be performed alongside an existing teaching role.
International Science qualification news
We have new support for 'Maths in Science' comprised of four worksheets on Decimals, Sampling, Significant Figures, Standard Form and Tables, Charts and Graphs.
All worksheets are available to download from the International GCSE Science qualification pages under 'Teaching and learning materials' in the 'Maths and practical support' section. Direct links to the resources are also provided below.
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.
Upcoming training for the Spring term includes the following:
- International A Level Biology 'Exam Insights May/June 2024 16 January 2025 at 09:00-10:00 GMT
- Getting Ready to Teach International GCSE Biology Modular 10 February 2025 at 09:00-11:00 GMT
- Mastering Marking in International GCSE Chemistry (Module 1) 24 February 2025 at 09:00-11:00 GMT
- Understanding Assessment & Improving Delivery in International GCSE Biology Modular 24 February 2025 at 09:00-11:00 GMT
- Mastering Marking in International A Level Chemistry (Module 1) 26 February 2025 at 09:00-11:00 GMT
- Mastering Marking in International A Level Chemistry (Module 2) 27 February 2025 at 09:00-11:00 GMT
You can find answers to frequently asked questions for Pearson Edexcel International GCSE and International A Level science courses in an earlier update written by Subject Advisor by Subject Advisor Tim Lawrence - supporting you International Science and Psychology qualifications.
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 the Pearson response to this outcome on our website.
We will be updating centres this January via briefing sessions that 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 after the pause and review and have the opportunity to ask questions. You can also hear from other centres who may have questions of their own.
The Applied Science briefing session, for centres in England only, is taking place on the 14 January 2025 at 16:00 - 17:00 GMT. We are also hosting non-subject specific sessions. Details of all sessions with links to book can be found on the Pearson website below.
You can keep up-to-date with all BTEC reform news via our web pages below.
BTEC National AAQs from September 2025
Last year 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.
Other general news
January and May/June timetables can be viewed on our website.
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.
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 have contributed to the Government’s call for evidence as part of the Curriculum and Assessment Review. Joining the voices of other sector experts, educators, parents/carers and learners, we've shared our research, experiences and recommendations with the panel.
We have shared a summary of key points from our submission, where we set out our recommendations for effecting meaningful change in education.
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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.
Subject advisor
Irine Muhiuddin
Science
