In this months's update you can find useful information to support your teaching, including key dates, free CPD and qualification news—all in one place. I hope you find it useful.
Best wishes,
Irine Muhiuddin
Science Subject Advisor
Don't forget to make your summer 2026 entries for ELC, GCSE and A level by 21 February 2026 (UK centres) or 21 March (International centres). The entry deadline for International GCSEs and IALs is 21 March 2026. More information is available in our article.
| Date | Activity | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 February 2026 | GCSE, A level and Entry Level Certificate entry deadline (UK centres) | ||
| 18 March 2026 | Release of January BTEC National external unit results to centres | ||
| 19 March 2026 | Release of January BTEC National external unit results to students | ||
| 20 March 2026 | Entry deadline for BTEC Nationals Summer 2026 exam series | ||
| 15 May 2026 | Standards verification first sampling deadline | ||
| 15 June 2026 | Second sampling deadline (if required) | ||
| 5 July 2026 | Deadline to report internally assessed unit grades on Edexcel Online for release of results in August. |
Exam Timetables
Summer 2026 timetables for all qualifications can be accessed from the link below.
The provisional timetables for Summer 2027 will be available on our web page from Monday 2nd February.
Feedback window: 2 February – 20 March
Send feedback to timetables@pearson.com.
The 2025/26 BTEC key dates and checkpoints are live. While exams officers take the lead, your involvement is still important.
Your overview of key QA activities for the year.
📍Oaklands School, Montgomery Way, Winsford, Cheshire, CW7 1NU
📅 12 February 2026 🕓 16:00 - 18:00 GMT
Join us for an insightful workshop to understand what the Curriculum and Assessment Review means for science teachers.
The Think Science Think Differently workshop is dedicated to exploring the future of GCSE Science education. This is your opportunity to be part of a transformative conversation on GCSE Science curriculum and assessment.
Let's think science, think differently, and shape the future together! Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your teaching toolkit and make a positive impact on your students' learning journey!
📅 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:
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:
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
📅 24 March 2026 🕓16:00 - 17:00 GMT 📍 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:
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.
📅 25 March 2026 🕓16:00 - 17:00 GMT 📍 Online – Free to attend
This free online event supports teachers delivering Pearson Edexcel A Level Biology B. The training focuses on equipping your learners with the skills needed to effectively answer the practical questions in Paper 3. You will:
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.
📅 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:
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:
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
We are hosting T level training this February including an event introducing the T level in Science on the 17 February 3-4.30pm.
Via the same link you can also book onto breifings for other subject sectors too.
Applied Science briefing: 17 March 2025 at 16:00 - 17:00 GMT
In the Post-16 Level 3 and Below Pathways consultation, the government has said that it will continue to defund existing larger qualifications in subject areas where T Levels are available with Science being a key area affected in the 2026/27 academic year. Our upcoming sector briefing can help you plan ahead.
Via the same link you can also book onto briefings for other subject sectors too.
📅 5 February and 4 March🕓 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:
You can register for the events from the training page or the events page.
📅 9 February and 5 March 🕓16:00 - 17:30 📍 Online – Free to attend
During this session you will:
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.
📅 04 February and 30 April 2026 🕓16:00 - 17:00 📍 Online – Free to attend
Join the Vocational Quality Assurance Managers (VQAMs) to get a hands-on understanding of:
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.
Dates: 2 March, 29 April, 18 June at 16:00 - 17:00 GMT
Join us for an introduction to the key responsibilities involved in the role of Quality Nominee. Throughout the session, we will provide suggestions and tips that will help you to make a success of the role and ensure confidence in the quality assurance of your BTEC provision.
This is recommended as the first event that you access so that you can have an overview of what is involved; we will provide a clearer understanding of the other support available that will also enhance your role.
This session is suitable for new Quality Nominees, those who may not have overseen BTEC qualifications before, or those returning to the role who would like a refresher of the responsibilities involved.
You can register from the quality assurance events and support page below and also view other training available.
10 March, 7 May and 15 June at 16:00 - 17:00 GMT.
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.
You can now book a 15-minute appointment with your Vocational Quality Assurance Manager (VQAM) to discuss any vocational quality assurance queries you may have throughout the year.
General
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.
Find out more in our Pearson Professional Development Guide (page 8 for Science).
We also provide centre-based training opportunities. If this is something you would like to explore, please visit our training page below.
We have released new A Level worksheets designed to support students in grasping foundational knowledge of key terms and concepts.
By engaging with these materials, students can build a strong foundation in key principles.
The series encourages active learning through thought-provoking questions, allowing learners to reflect on their understanding and boost their confidence.
A level Physics worksheets will be released shortly on the qualification page in February.
To support your planning through Level 3 reform, we have created a Science Options Guide for post 16 provision in 2026.
It includes:
The BTEC National AAQ Applied Science specification has had some minor changes to it recently which are summarised on page 8 of the specification:
Download the latest issue of the BTEC National AAQ Applied Science specification:
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
Centre standardisation materials are also available on the qualification page. These have recently been updated, and you’ll find a summary of the changes near the start of the materials.
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.
To help schools make decisons on which tier to enter their students for GCSE Sciences we provide a 'Support for Tier Entry decisions' guide - see below.
We have resources to help with planning and delivery, including:
Transition guide
The mapping of the Pearson BTEC National AAQ in Applied Science to the Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Applied Science specification is provided in our transition guide.
New training videos now available
We’ve uploaded new training videos to help with delivering the practical requirements for Physics tasks in Unit 4:
BTEC National Applied Science - Task 3A: Investigating the rate of transfer of thermal energy
( 7.37 )
BTEC National Applied Science - Task 3B: Investigating resistivity in electrical circuits
( 7.18 )
BTEC National Applied Science - Task 3c: Energy transfer from a renewable resource
( 5.20 )
BTEC National Applied Science - Task 3A: Investigating the rate of transfer of thermal energy
( 7.37 )
BTEC National Applied Science - Task 3B: Investigating resistivity in electrical circuits
( 7.18 )
BTEC National Applied Science - Task 3c: Energy transfer from a renewable resource
( 5.20 )
At the beginning of the PSAB under ‘instructions for teachers’ there is a list of practical equipment required for the procedures. This list is not exhaustive but does give an indication of the equipment required.
Updated Planning and Teaching Guide
The latest version Planning and Teaching Guide includes updates designed to make planning, delivery and assessment easier, including the most recent guidance and clarifications for external Units 1-3.
You can download the updated guide from the course materials page, under ‘Teaching and Learning Materials’.
External assessment training
We also have new training being provided this Spring term in February to help teachers prepare for external assessment.
Additional Sample Assessment Materials – Coming Soon
We’re preparing an extra set of Sample Assessment Materials and aim to share more news in the Spring term. Keep an eye on the qualification page for updates.
examWizard
examWizard is an online resource containing a bank of past paper questions to help you create your own mock exams and tests. It’s available for GCSE, A Level subjects, and BTEC, so you can select suitable questions to prepare your own mocks and tests.
Complete Revision and Practice for Level 3 AAQ BTEC National in Applied Science
Paid-for published Revision and Practice resources are available if you’d like to consider them.
Please note: there is no compulsory requirement to purchase or use published resources to teach the course – schools and colleges are free to choose the resources they use to support teaching and delivery.
Pearson has partnered with the UCL Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE), to look at how neurotypical and neurodivergent (e.g. those who are autistic/have ADHD) students answer GCSE exam questions (https://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/project/examine-exam-inequality-for-neurodivergent-students).
We hope this will allow us to make our exams more accessible for all students.
We would be very grateful if centres would consider taking part in the next phase of this very important project. To find out more and express an interest in the research, please enter your contact details via the link below.
The Pearson National Teaching Awards are an annual, UK-wide celebration of excellence in education, recognising the outstanding work of teachers, support staff and school leaders in early years settings, schools, and colleges across the country. The deadline for entering a nomination for the Pearson National Teacher Awards is 27 February 2026.
Find out what the Curriculum and Assessment Review (CAR) means for the future of GCSE Science:
A Generation 2 T Level in Science will be delivered by Pearson starting in September 2026. Stay updated and learn more by visiting the qualification page, attending training sessions, and following our regular updates.
17 March 2025 at 16:00 - 17:00 GMT
In the Post-16 Level 3 and Below Pathways consultation, the government has said that it will continue to defund existing larger qualifications in subject areas where T Levels are available with Science being a key area affected in the 2026/27 academic year. Our upcoming sector briefing can help you plan ahead (also highlighted in the Training and Professional development section above).
Via the same link you can also book onto breifings for other subject sectors too.
Ofqual has launched a consultation on proposals for how on-screen assessment should be regulated in GCSEs, AS and A levels in England. Whilst they propose a controlled introduction of on-screen assessment, pen-and-paper will remain central to most exams.
As teachers working directly with students, you understand their needs and the challenges this proposal may present. Your opinion counts.
The consultation closes on 5 March 2026. Please take a look and have your say.
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 BTEC Teaching, Learning and Assessment for page with the most up-to-date information and key dates for vocational assessment for this academic year.
Happy New Year! In this months's update you can find useful information to support your teaching, including key dates, free CPD, refreshed AAQ resources and qualification news—all in one place. I hope you find it useful.
Best wishes,
Irine Muhiuddin
Science Subject Advisor
