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Science

Subject update | Wed Jun 03 10:00:00 UTC 2026

June 2026 Teaching Science update

Welcome to the June Teaching Science update

As we continue to move through the exam season, the June Teaching Science update brings together key dates, training opportunities, new resources and guidance to support your planning and teaching.

Best wishes,

Irine Muhiuddin

Science Subject Advisor

Read more

Included in this update
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Key dates
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Date Activity
15 June Standards verification Second sampling deadline (if required)
5 July Deadline to report internally assessed BTEC unit grades on Edexcel Online for release of results in August.
13 August Results Day for A levels and BTEC Nationals
20 August Results Day for GCSE and BTEC L1/L2 Firsts
GCSE and A level Summer 2026 assessment materials release dates

GCSE and A level Summer 2026 assessment materials release dates are provided in our knowledge article.

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BTEC key dates and term-time checkpoints

The 2025/26 BTEC key dates and checkpoints are live. While exams officers take the lead, your involvement is still important.

Find out more about term-time checkpoints

Explore our key dates and term-time checkpoint guide
BTEC quality assurance year planner

Your overview of key QA activities for the year.

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Summer 2026 exam timetables

Exam Timetables

Summer 2026 timetables for all qualifications can be accessed from the link below.

Exam timetables
Provisional Exam Timetables for 2027

The provisional timetables for 2027 are available on our website.

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Training, events and professional development
Learning
Getting Ready to Teach T Level Science

09 & 16 June 2026 at 17:00 - 18:00 GMT

This Getting Ready to Teach event is designed for providers who would like an overview of the structure and assessment of this Science T-Level.

The session will explore the specification and resources and support that are available in planning, delivering and assessing the T-Level.

There will also be a high-level overview of the core papers and employer set project.

A more in-depth look at the assessment approaches will be available via the Getting Ready for Assessment events.

Event Fee (GBP) Free

Pearson Event Code26TLS301

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Introduction to teaching and assessing the RQF Higher Nationals in Applied Sciences

15 June 2026 at 09:00 - 11:30 GMT

New to delivering BTEC Higher Nationals (RQF)?

This online event is suitable for Program Managers, Internal Verifiers, Assessors, Tutors, Heads of Department, Quality Nominees, Centre Managers, working in centres offering BTEC Higher Nationals in Applied Science.

At this event delegates will gain support and guidance in planning, implementation, delivery, and assessment.

The session will:

  • Explore the content and structures for the Pearson BTEC Higher Nationals in Computing
  • Discuss delivery and assessment planning
  • Consider a holistic approach to assessment
  • Introduce the new Pearson-set units
  • Explore the new Quality Assurance Model
  • Discuss support available to tutors and centres
  • Consider appropriate approaches to delivery
  • Provide the opportunity for Q&A with a subject specialist.
  • This event can count as 2.5 hours of CPD
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BTEC Lead IV Roles and Responsibilities training

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.

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Roles and Responsibilities of the Quality Nominee (UK centres only)

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.

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Quality Nominee Networks Events - Summer 2026

We’re delighted to be bringing back our face-to-face networking events this summer! There are many opportunities to attend, where you’ll have the chance to connect with colleagues from local centres, exchange best practice, and delve into essential quality assurance themes for the coming year.Join your regional Vocational Quality Assurance Manager and Curriculum Development Manager to gain insights on:

  • Level 2 & 3 Reforms – Receive the latest updates and available support
  • The 26/27 quality assurance cycle updates for BTEC Entry/Level 1 to 3 qualifications, BTEC Level 3 Nationals (AAQs) and BTEC Tech Awards

Please note, bookings are to be made by Quality Nominees. Additional bookings for other staff members in your centre will be moved to a waiting list.

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Vocational Quality Assurance Management (VQAM) support

You can 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.

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Centre-based training options

We also provide centre-based training opportunities. If this is something you would like to explore, please visit our training page below.

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Past training content

If you missed any training, or would simply like a refresher, you could catch up on past training on each A level, GCSE and BTEC qualification page. These are available in the ‘Teaching and learning materials’ section.

Recent additions from training this year include:

  • A level Science Networks on Preparing for Paper 3
  • GCSE Science Network Preparing for AO3

You can also visit our Professional Development Academy for GCSE and A level qualifications. This includes access to pre‑recorded training, such as New to Edexcel, as well as the option to book onto upcoming GCSE and A level training events.
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Find out more in our Pearson Professional Development Guide (page 8 for science).

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Resources and support materials
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BTEC Applied Science AAQ - updates to key documents

In May, some key documents were updated, including the specification and sample assessment materials. Updates were also made in April to the centre standardisation materials and the Unit 4 Pearson Set Assignment Brief.

Each document includes a summary of the changes at the front, helping centres quickly identify what’s new.

All documents are available on the qualification page. Convenient links to selected documents, including the most up-to-date version of the Planning and Teaching Guide, are provided below.

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AAQ BTEC National Applied Science FAQs

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the new AAQ Applied Science qualification in our dedicated news update. This page will be reviewed regularly to include new questions from teachers.

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GCSE Physics and Combined Science Summer 2026 equation sheet

Candidates sitting GCSE Physics and GCSE Combined Science (physics papers) will be provided with an equation sheet in the Summer 2026 exam series. The equation sheet will be issued as an insert in the exam papers, as it was in Summer 2025. The equation sheet is available to view and download from the Pearson Science qualification page, so students can familiarise themselves with it ahead of their exams.

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A Level Biology A 9BN0 Paper 3 scientific article for Summer 2026

A Level Biology A 9BN0 Paper 3 scientific article release

The Pearson Edexcel A Level Biology A (9BN0) Paper 3 Scientific Article for Summer 2026 was made available for secure download from the qualification page on the 18 March. 

Go to the qualification page to download the article

If you are new to teaching the qualification, please refer to short information video on obtaining and issuing the article to your students.
Pearson Edexcel GCSE Science Practical Statement Head Teacher declaration form
Play
Pearson Edexcel GCSE Science Practical Statement Head Teacher declaration form

Pearson Edexcel GCSE Science Practical Statement Head Teacher declaration form

A level Chemistry and Physics Summer 2025 exemplars

We’ve released a new set of exemplar materials to support your delivery of A level Chemistry and Physics.

These exemplars include student responses to questions from the summer 2025 exam series, alongside examiner comments explaining how the mark scheme has been applied and how marks have been awarded. Visit the qualification pages, to download the materials.

Go to the Chemistry qualification page to download the exemplars

Go to the Physics qualification page to download the exemplars
Science Emporium is moving to ActiveHub

The Science Emporium is moving to ActiveHub, our digital teaching and learning platform. This move is being made to strengthen the security of our content and your data, and to provide an enhanced digital platform for accessing the resources you rely on.

We also want to reassure you that you will continue to have free access to the Science Emporium resources without disruption.

If you already have an ActiveHub subscription for Science, you’ll start to see Science Emporium content gradually appear within your existing subscription from April as it starts to be added to the platform. 

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GCSE and A level Science student support resources

As a reminder, there are plenty of free resources available on the qualification pages to support students, particularly with the summer exams fast approaching. Some of these are highlighted below.
GCSE Science maths support

As part of our maths support offer, we provide Mathematics in Science practice papers, worksheets and videos to help build confidence with mathematical skills. All resources are available on the qualification page.

GCSE Science exam boost videos

With exam season approaching you may want to refer to our Pearson Edexcel GCSE Science Exam Boost videos that contain useful tips covering areas such as exam structure, short answer questions, calculations, graphs, extended open response questions and command words. Links to the six videos we have available are provided below.

Video Icon Pearson Edexcel (9-1) GCSE Science - Exam Boost sessions- #1 exam structure ( 9:40 ) Video Icon Pearson Edexcel (9-1) GCSE Science - Exam Boost sessions # 2 - Tackling short answer questions ( 11:06 ) Video Icon Pearson Edexcel (9-1) GCSE Science - Exam Boost sessions # 3 - Calculations ( 13:32 ) Video Icon Pearson Edexcel (9-1) GCSE Science - Exam Boost sessions - #4 - Graphs ( 13:42 ) Video Icon Pearson Edexcel (9-1) GCSE Science - Exam Boost sessions #5 - Extended open response questions ( 13:42 ) Video Icon Pearson Edexcel (9-1) GCSE Science - Exam Boost sessions #6 - Command words ( 13:11 )
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A Level Biology Maths Support Videos

Videos to support students with statistical maths in A level Biology:

  • Chi-squared test
  • Spearman’s rank correlation
  • Student’s t-test

You’ll find these videos in the Maths Support section on the A level Biology qualification pages, under Teaching and Learning Materials.  

Go to the Math support section to access the videos
Ofqual resources to explain GCSE and A level marking and grading to students

Ofqual have released a set of classroom resources to help teachers, headteachers and their senior leadership teams explain GCSE and A level marking and grading to their students.

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Qualification news and guidance
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Summer 2026 general qualifications and assessment teacher feedback

To enable us to improve the experience of teachers using our qualifications and students sitting our exams, we gather feedback after each exam series. If you're a teacher, and your students have taken any of our exams in the May/June 2026 series, we are eager to hear your thoughts. On the link below you can find separate teacher surveys for GCSE, International GCSE, A level and IAL.
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Pearson School and College Report 2026

The Pearson School & College Report brings together thousands of voices from across education to build a clear, independent picture of what learning looks like in the UK today. Each year, teachers, students, school leaders, college tutors and home educators share their experiences, challenges and hopes for the future, helping to surface what really matters across classrooms, colleges and learning communities nationwide.

Now in its fifth year, the report has grown in both scale and insight. Drawing on more than 50,000 voices gathered since 2022, this edition highlights the shifting trends, challenges and opportunities shaping learning today.

Pearson_School_Report_2026

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Ofqual podcast for teachers

Ofqual is launching a podcast for teachers and school leaders. 'Can I Just Qualify That?' will be built around conversations that matter and advice you can use. The first few episodes will cover everything from qualification reform and how GCSE and A level grading works, to helpful tips for exam season, results days, and cyber security.

Episode one drops on Thursday 4 June on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Amazon Music. Subscribe to Ofqual's YouTube channel now so you don't miss it:

Ofqual You Tube

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Ofqual consultation on regulating Post-16 vocational and technical qualifications at Levels 2 and 3

Ofqual have also launched a consultation on regulating post-16 vocational and technical qualifications at levels 2 and 3.  The deadline is 2 July 2026.

Review the content and respond
Ofqual consultation on 16 to 19 performance measures

Ofqual are seeking views on proposals to improve 16 to 19 performance measures. This consultation closes at 11:59 pm on 21 July 2026.

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Ofqual announce decision on GCSE Physics, Combined Science and Maths equation sheets

An Ofqual consultation on proposals to continue providing equation sheets as support materials for students taking GCSE exams in England from 2028 onwards took place in March and has now closed.

Ofqual has recently announced their decision to implement the proposals set out in the consultation, requiring exam boards to provide students with formulae and equations sheets for GCSE mathematics, physics and combined science exams for the remaining lifetime of the current specifications.

Outcome of the DfE consultation on Post-16 Level 3 and below pathways in England

On 10 March 2026, the government published the outcome of its consultation on post-16 level 3 and below pathways. The consultation sought views on the design and implementation of a third, vocational pathway at level 3 — to be called V Levels — and on two new pathways at level 2 in post-16 education.

You can read the latest updates on the pages below and be guided to the DfE announcement and our response to the outcome.

The future of post-16 level 3 vocational qualifications in England

The future of post-16 level 2 vocational qualifications in England

You can also view our updated funding guides below:

Level 3 Funding Guide

Level 2 Funding Guide

Guide to funding and support

As part of the consultation response, we updated our science sector page, including the Level 3 reform Options Guide for the Science Sector. The options guide will provide a clear overview of what centres can offer in Science from September 2026 onwards to support your planning.

Science Sector Page

Options Guide for the Science Sector

If you are in Wales or Northern Ireland visit our page below:

Information for Wales and Northern Ireland

We also have a dedicated page for you to keep up-to-date with news and policy:

News and policy page

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T-Level Science: First teach September 2026

Pearson are delighted to be offering the T Level Technical Qualification in Science from September 2026. The specification has now been published and sample assessment materials should be published by the end of this term. 

Keep up to date with the latest news via our T level updates.

Sign up got the T-Level Updates

We also have 'Getting Ready to Teach T Level Science' events taking place this June - see link to training page, and links to other useful information below.

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BTEC Higher Nationals in Applied Sciences extended

We’ve extended the BTEC Higher Nationals in Applied Science, meaning you can continue delivering the qualifications you know with confidence.

You can continue registering students on these programmes until 31 August 2027, with a final certification date of 31 August 2032.

What's next? We’re currently developing the replacement qualification to be ready for first teach in September 2027. We’re aiming to publish the redeveloped specification later this year to give you time to see what’s changed, plan delivery and prepare for transition.

Updated Special Consideration Form: BTEC Internal Assessments

We’ve created a new form to make applying for special considerations for internally assessed BTEC units quicker and easier. You should make sure you save a copy and use it for all future special consideration applications for internal units.

This new form has more detailed instructions and dedicated sections for your rationale, alternative arrangements and grade profile, making it easier for you to provide the right evidence from the start and avoid any follow-up questions that delay the application.

You should submit all special considerations applications for internally assessed BTEC units by 30 June.

Download the Form 
BTEC Teaching, learning and assessment page

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. 

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General qualifications assessment support page

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.

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UK Science Facebook

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Science Facebook group

A reminder that you can connect and collaborate with other teachers in the Science Facebook group and receive news about Pearson Science qualifications. Request to join from the link below.

Visit our Facebook group for teachers of UK Science courses
Learning

Need help with our Science qualifications?

 

You can book a quick Teams meeting with me to talk about our science qualifications and get the support you need. 
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Subject advisor

Irine Muhiuddin and Tim Lawrence

UK and International Science

Email :
teachingscience@pearson.com
Facebook :
Phone :
+44 (0) 344 463 2535 ( Teaching Services team | Mon - Fri, 8am - 5pm GMT)
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UK and International Science advisors

Subject updates

  • FAQs for BTEC Applied Science FAQs

    This update aims to provide answers to a number of frequently asked questions for the BTEC National Applied Science (AAQ).

See all updates
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