Welcome to the March Teaching Science update
This update brings together the key dates, reminders and support you’ll need over the coming weeks — from practical declaration forms to new resources and training opportunities.
You’ll also find the latest qualification news, including updates for GCSE, A level, BTEC and ELC Science, alongside FAQs and guidance for the reformed BTEC National AAQ Applied Science. Whether you’re finalising entries, supporting students with practical work, or planning ahead for next year, we’re here to help you feel confident and supported.
Best wishes,
Irine Muhiuddin
Science Subject Advisor
The deadline for summer 2026 entries for ELC, GCSE and A level was the 21 February 2026 (UK centres) and is the 21 March for International centres. The entry deadline for International GCSEs and IALs is 21 March 2026. More information is available in our article.
| Date | Activity | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 March | A level Biology A pre-release scientific article release date | ||
| 18 March | Release of January BTEC National external unit results to centres | ||
| 19 March | Release of January BTEC National external unit results to students | ||
| 20 March | Entry deadline for BTEC Nationals Summer 2026 exam series | ||
| 15 April | GCSE Science Practical Head Teacher form deadline | ||
| 15 April | GCSE Astronomy Observation statement deadline | ||
| 15 May | A level Science Practical Head Teacher form deadline and Endorsement result deadline | ||
| 15 May | Standards verification first sampling deadline | ||
| 15 June | Standards verification Second sampling deadline (if required) | ||
| 5 July | Deadline to report internally assessed unit grades on Edexcel Online for release of results in August. |
GCSE
Centres must confirm that students have completed the mandatory core practicals by completing and submitting the GCSE Head Teacher declaration form by 15 April. You can access the Head Teacher declaration form online, along with accompanying FAQs, from the links below.
Please note that there are no changes to this process for Summer 2026.
The declaration form should be submitted to Pearson online.
Any failure by centres to provide the declaration will be treated as malpractice and/or maladministration.
The following video explains how to submit the GCSE Science Practical Statement Head Teacher Declaration form and contains information on where you can get further support for core practicals.
For all students sitting GCSE Astronomy (1AS0) in the May/June 2026 exam series, centres must complete the Observation Statement to confirm that students have completed at least one unaided observation and one aided observation.
The deadline for submitting the Observation Statement is 15 April 2026. A link to the Observation Statement is provided below.
Please note that there are no changes to this process for Summer 2026.
Failure to submit the Observation Statement will be treated as malpractice and/or maladministration.
The following video explains how to submit the GCSE Astronomy Observation Statement and contains information on where you can get further support for observations.
A level
The Pearson Edexcel A Level Biology A (9BN0) (SNAB) Paper 3 Scientific Article for Summer 2026 will be available to download from the qualification page on 18 March.
Students may study and annotate the article in advance, but they must not bring their copy into the exam room. A fresh copy will be provided with the exam paper. If required, additional copies can also be downloaded from the qualification page.
Centres must ensure that the A level Science Head Teacher Declaration Form is signed and submitted by 15 May in the year of certification. This declaration confirms that students have completed the required practical activities that meet the Practical Endorsement requirements of the specification.
The Headteacher Declaration Form can be accessed online using the link below. A link to the CPAC FAQs document is also provided for additional support.
Please note that there are no changes to this process for Summer 2026.
Any failure by centres to provide the declaration will be treated as malpractice and/or maladministration.
Endorsement result submission: A ‘Pass’ (P) or ‘Not Classified’ (NC) outcome for each student must also be submitted on Edexcel Online (EOL) by 15 May. This should be done via the ‘coursework marks’ option in Edexcel Online once entries for the qualification have been made.
Please note that access to Edexcel Online and user permissions are managed by the Exams Officer at each centre. If your Exams Officer requires support with EOL setup or permissions, they can contact our Exams Officer support team on 0344 463 2535.
ELC
There are some important changes to the submission of Entry Level Certificate Science student marks and samples for Summer 2026 and beyond.
1. Submissions via Learner Work Transfer (LWT)
From 2026 onwards we’ll be using our established Learner Work Transfer (LWT) system for Entry Level Certificate Science submissions. For the assessment of student work, you’ll need to upload all student work to LWT. The deadline for submission remains 15 May 2026.
Please follow the guidance in our LWT support article that provides clear instructions on how to do this.
As submission of student work is all online there will be no labels for you to print out, and student work need not be sent by postal service. Please DO NOT send us any hard copies of student work.
2. Centre marks must be submitted before we release the list of students selected for the moderation sample.
You will be aware of the email we sent on 12 February about the change to mark submission for moderated work. This change includes ELC Science qualifications and requires you to submit your centre marks before we release the list of students selected for the moderation sample.
3. Larger sample size
We’ll also be asking for a larger sample size when moderating internally assessed work. From June 2026 onwards this approach will apply to Entry Level Certificate Science qualifications. This change is designed to make moderation smoother and reduce the need for additional sample requests later in the year.
Read our email about changes to sample sizes
BTEC
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.
Timetables
The provisional timetables for Summer 2027 have been available on our web page since Monday 2nd February.
Feedback window: 2 February – 20 March
Send feedback to timetables@pearson.com.
Exam Timetables
Summer 2026 timetables for all qualifications can be accessed from the link below.
Astronomy
We have new self-paced training courses which allow you to work through the training in your own time. You can also pick and choose certain elements to explore rather than working your way through the whole course; the choice is yours!
This self-paced training course, developed by the Pearson Edexcel Science team, is designed to support teachers who are delivering the GCSE Astronomy qualification for the first time. It includes a pre‑recorded introductory video and links to all the resources you need to teach the GCSE Astronomy course.
After completing this course you will: have a clear understanding of the structure and content of the GCSE Astronomy specification; be aware of teaching and delivery strategies, including for observational skills; have gained an understanding of question paper layouts and corresponding mark schemes; know where to access further support and resources from Pearson Edexcel.
📅 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 L3 Nationals
📅 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.
T level
19 March 2026 at 15:30 - 17:00 GMT
This termly T Level Network Event is for existing providers of Pearson T Levels or those who are planning to offer any Pearson T Level in the future.
We will cover updates and changes for academic year 2026/27 and beyond, guidance for delivery and assessment.
There will be an opportunity to network with other providers, share best practice for delivery and curriculum planning, and to ask questions of Pearson Product Managers whether you have general T Level or sector-specific queries, e.g. related to delivery, assessment or specifications.
BTEC Higher Nationals
📅06 May 2026 🕓 09:00 - 15:00 GMT
This online event should be attended by Program Managers, Internal Verifiers, Assessors, Tutors, Heads of Department, Quality Nominees, Centre Managers and HN BTEC subject practitioners who are preparing for Assignment Writing (RQF).
Online events are a great way to train the whole department. You can do this by simply projecting the session onto a whiteboard rather than placing multiple bookings.
This online session will:
15 April 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:
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.
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.
Dates: 29 April and 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.
A level
This year, our monitoring visits have shown that in some centres students are regularly completing practical work in groups of three or four. While we recognise that there may be occasions where limited apparatus means students need to work together, the Practical Endorsement is awarded to each student individually and is based on what each learner can personally demonstrate in the lab.
It is therefore best practice, as set out in our CPAC guidance, that students work individually and your assessment of them will be uncomplicated. On some practicals the method might require more than one pair of hands and, just occasionally, there might not be enough apparatus for all learners to work alone. In these cases, it is important that the teacher record shows that each learner has been seen doing what the pen portrait suggests is required for a pass.
Further guidance for the Practical Endorsement can be found in the CPAC guidance and Tracking section of the qualification pages which includes the Lead Teacher Guide and CPAC FAQs.
Practical Endorsement training is also available to support you.
We have released 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.
ELC
We have published a new set of additional Sample Assessment Materials (SAMs) for ELC Further Science to support you and your learners. This complete set of six papers is now available on the qualifications page.
BTEC Nationals
Additional Sample Assessment Materials – Available now!
We’ve created an extra set of Sample Assessment Materials and they are now available to download from the qualification page.
A reminder that the Planning and Teaching Guide was refreshed earlier in the year and centres were notified via this communication. The latest version includes updates designed to make planning, delivery and assessment easier, and reflects the most recent guidance and clarifications.
You can download the updated guide from the course materials page, under ‘teaching and learning materials’:
A reminder that the BTEC National AAQ Applied Science specification has had some minor changes to it recently which are summarised on page 7 of the specification.
Download the latest issue of the BTEC National AAQ Applied Science specification:
Help us keep improving and make Pearson AAQ BTEC National paid resources work for you
Hearing from you helps us continue to develop and improve our BTEC resource so they meet your needs, so we’d really welcome your feedback. The deadline for responses is Friday 20th March.
Results from the January/February series for BTEC will be released under embargo on Wednesday 18 March for you to then release to your students on 19 March.
If you want to check how to view results, explore post-results options and much more, we’ve got everything you need in one place.
To support your planning through Level 3 reform, we have created a Science Options Guide for post 16 provision in 2026.
It includes:
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.
T Level 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.
Additional Sample Assessment Materials – Available now!
We’ve created an extra set of Sample Assessment Materials and they are now available to download from the qualification page.
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
Look out for training to help teachers prepare for external assessment.
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.
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.
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.
We’re expecting the outcome of the government’s consultation on the design and implementation of a third vocational pathway at Level 3 and two new pathways at Level 2 in post-16 education in the spring.
The Department for Education has also confirmed that any decisions regarding defunding of existing qualifications from 2026/27 in England will be reviewed considering the views expressed in response to the consultation.
The decisions will be announced alongside the outcomes of the consultation. We'll update our funding guidance as soon as the information becomes available, so you can plan with confidence for the 2026/27 academic year.
We'll also be in touch with what the consultation outcomes mean for you, your students, and the future of vocational and technical qualifications in England beyond 2026/27.
Some useful pages that you can bookmark and obtain the latest news are provided below.
The future of post-16 level 3 vocational qualifications in England
The future of post-16 level 2 vocational qualifications in England
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.
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.
Find out what the Curriculum and Assessment Review (CAR) means for the future of GCSE Science:
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.
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.
You can book a quick Teams meeting with me to talk about our Science qualifications and get the support you need.
Hello colleagues,
Welcome to your March update for teachers of International Science qualifications! Along with key dates and FAQs we have examiner vacancies and news of a new Lab Setup Guide as well as mapping documents for IAL sciences, examWizard news (with practical past paper questions available now for IAL Biology), the recording of our recent STEM university applications webinar and provisional timetables for the June 2027 exam series.
As ever, don't hesitate to get in touch if I can help in any way - why not book a Teams call with me (follow the link below) if it would be helpful to talk something over?
Best wishes,
Tim Lawrence
Pearson Edexcel Subject Advisor for International Science Qualifications
