The DfE plan to make the following change to KS4 performance measures for 2023/24, to be published in Autumn 2024:

'entries into triple science (the percentage of pupils entered for biology, chemistry and physics) and entries into languages (the percentage of pupils entered for an EBacc language) will change from being additional measures to become headline measures for 2023/24, and will be reported on the main school page in performance tables from Autumn 2024.' 

You can read about this on page 10 of the DfE guide on 'Secondary accountability measures for maintained secondary schools, academies and free schools' (see link below).

To better understand your thoughts and needs, Pearson Edexcel Science kindly request your participation in a brief survey with four short questions. Your responses will help us tailor our support and resources to meet your needs. 

• Participate in our GCSE Science survey on Triple Science entries
• Read the DfE guide on secondary accountability measures for maintained secondary schools, academies and free schools

25 June 2024 at 09:30 - 16:00 GMT 

A new face-to-face event will be taking place this summer for teachers or heads of department who deliver our GCSE Science qualifications. There will be a selection of speakers relevant to our GCSE specification - focusing on topics ranging from practicals, data analysis to understanding the way our assessments work. There will be opportunities to listen, learn and discuss the wonderful world of science teaching with other like-minded colleagues.

Event Fee (GBP) £99 excl. Tax | Pearson Event Code 1SC0-23F1/01

• Find out more and register your place

For GCSE Science centres must confirm that students have completed the mandatory core practicals by completing and submitting a GCSE Head Teacher declaration form. You can access the Head Teacher declaration form, along with accompanying FAQs, from the links below. 

GCSE Head Teacher declaration form GCSE (9-1) in Biology/Chemistry/Physics/Combined Science 85.1 KB pdf /content/dam/pdf/GCSE/Science/2016/forms-and-administration/GCSE-9-1-Biology-Chemistry-Physics-Combined-Science-Practical-Science-Declaration.pdf false FAQs Practical Science Statement 107.6 KB pdf /content/dam/pdf/GCSE/Science/2016/forms-and-administration/FAQs practical science statement.pdf false

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The declaration form should be submitted to Pearson via our online form by 15 April in the year of certification.

• Online form to submit the GCSE Science Head Teacher declaration form

Any failure by centres to provide the declaration will be treated as malpractice and/or maladministration.

To aid teaching and learning of practicals skills we have new GCSE Science Core Practical 'SHORTS' videos - created to be student friendly recap videos.

• GCSE Science core practical videos

Students sitting GCSE Physics and GCSE Combined Science will be provided with an equation sheet in Summer 2024 exams. This was confirmed by Ofqual in December 2023 following their consultation outcome on equation and formula sheets. 

The equation sheet will be provided as an insert in the exam papers as it was in the Summer 2023 examination series. It is also possible to view and download the equation sheet from the Pearson Science qualification page so students can become familiar with it ahead of their exams.

GCSE Physics Combined Science - Equations list 120.7 KB pdf /content/dam/pdf/GCSE/Science/2016/teaching-and-learning-materials/gcse-physics-exam-aid-1ph01sc0.pdf false

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• View the Ofqual consultation on equation and formula sheets

Centres are required to sign and send in the A level Science Head Teacher form by the 15 May to declare that students have completed the practical activities that meet the practical Endorsement requirements of the A level science specifications. You can access the Headteacher declaration form, along with accompanying CPAC FAQs, from the link below. The form has been updated this year with a statement on AI use.

A Level CPAC head teacher declaration form 111.4 KB pdf /content/dam/pdf/A Level/biology-a/2015/teaching-and-learning-materials/a-level-cpac-head-teacher-declaration-form.pdf false CPAC FAQs 820.3 KB pdf /content/dam/pdf/A Level/biology-a/2015/teaching-and-learning-materials/CPAC-faqs.pdf false

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The completed Head Teacher declaration form should be submitted online to Pearson via the form below. 

• Online form to submit the A level Science Head Teacher declaration form

A ‘Pass’ (P) or ‘Not Classified’ (NC) decision for each student should also be submitted on Edexcel Online by 15 May. This can be done through the  'coursework marks' option on Edexcel Online.

Note, Edexcel Online (EOL) access and profile permissions are set by the Exams Officer at each centre. If the Exams Officer requires any support with EOL then our Exams Officer support team can be contacted on 0344 463 2535.

To support centres with practical work we provide A level Core Practical Guides and practical playlists for each A level Science qualification. These are located on the 'Teaching and Learning Materials' pages.

Pre-recorded feedback events for Pearson Edexcel A Level Sciences looks at how students performed in the Summer 2023 exams and provides guidance on how to address feedback in the examiners' reports. Recordings are available on the Professional Academy page.

• Go to the Professional Development Academy page to listen Summer 2023 feedback recordings

For GCSE Astronomy students must undertake at least one unaided and one aided observation from the selection listed in the specification. This list also provided our Observations Skills Guide.  It is important to realise that these mandatory observations are the minimum number of observations that should be taken during the course. Students will need to use their knowledge and understanding of observational techniques and procedures in the written assessments. As always, centres are responsible for ensuring appropriate safety procedures are followed whenever their students complete observational activities.

Centres must also confirm that each student has completed at least one unaided and one aided observation by completing and submitting an Observation Statement. This must be submitted to Pearson by 15th April in the year of certification. Any failure by centres to provide this Observation Statement will be treated as malpractice and/or maladministration.

The updated form that should be used going forward, now includes a statement about AI use. It is available on the link below.

GCSE Astronomy Headteacher Declaration Form Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 in GCSE (9-1) in Astronomy: Observation Statement 138.7 KB pdf /content/dam/pdf/GCSE/Astronomy/2017/forms-and-administration/gcse-astronomy-headteacher-declaration-form.pdf false

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The completed observation statement needs to be uploaded and submitted to Pearson via our online form.

• Online form to submit Observation Statement

The final date for submitting marks and samples for ELC assessments is 15 May in the year of certification. Please note, however,  that your Exams Officer may have their own internal deadlines.

Our updated assessment record forms that need to be used this year can be found on the links below which now include a statement about AI use. Also provided below is guidance on submitting samples.

NSC0 - Assessment record and authentication sheet 65.9 KB pdf /content/dam/pdf/Entry Level Certificate/Science/2016/forms-and-administration/nsco-assessment-record-and-authentication-sheet.pdf false NSF0 - Assessment record and authentication sheet 64.3 KB pdf /content/dam/pdf/Entry Level Certificate/Science/2016/forms-and-administration/nfso-assessment-record-and-authentication-sheet.pdf false Submitting assessment material 282.8 KB pdf /content/dam/pdf/Entry Level Certificate/Science/2016/forms-and-administration/elc-science-submitting-assessment-material.pdf false

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For international qualifications the deadline for making entries for the Summer 2024 exam series  21 March 2024. After these dates late entry fees may be charged. Please note that your exams officer will have their own internal deadlines in order to get the information necessary to make entries. You can find entry codes on our website.

• Look up entry codes for Pearson Edexcel qualifications

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The Ofqual announcement above relates specifically to UK GCSE qualifications, but the same approach is being taken for International GCSE Physics, and International GCSE Science Double and Science Single Awards (physics papers) where students will also have access to a revised equation sheet for Summer 2024 exams. The equation sheets for these qualifications will be uploaded on the qualification pages soon this month. In the meantime, the equation sheets used in 2023 can be referred to for exam practice and revision. Links to these are provided below.

• International GCSE Physics
• International GCSE Science Double Award
• International GCSE Science Single Award

You can view current training opportunities and look out for new training on our Professional Development Academy page. Some upcoming events are listed below.

Understanding Assessment and Improving Outcomes in Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Chemistry (Module 1) 16 April 2024 at 13:00-15:00 BST

This training is designed for teachers who are delivering the Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Chemistry specification.

This training will give you an understanding of how assessments are structured for the qualification and how your teaching can be adapted to help your students’ performance on examination papers.
In this training, delegates will;

- Be introduced to the idea of assessment objectives: what are they and why they are used when writing examination papers
- Analyse recent question papers and learn which types of question match the different assessment objectives
- Investigate assessment objectives, considering how questions in this area have been answered by looking at feedback from previous exam series
- Discuss strategies for teaching those and discuss specification content to try and make sure students can access questions targeting different assessment objectives
- Review the support Pearson offers for the qualification
- Network, discuss best practice and share ideas with other teachers

Understanding Assessment and Improving Outcomes in Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level Chemistry (Module 2) 25 April 2024 at 13:00-15:00 BST

This training is designed for teachers who are delivering the Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level Chemistry specification.

This training will give you an understanding of how assessments are structured for the qualification and how your teaching can be adapted to help your students’ performance on examination papers.

In this training, delegates will;
- Be introduced to the idea of assessment objectives: what are they and why they are used when writing examination papers
- Analyse recent question papers and learn which types of question match the different assessment objectives
- Investigate assessment objectives, considering how questions in this area have been answered by looking at feedback from previous exam series
- Discuss strategies for teaching those and discuss specification content to try and make sure students can access questions targeting different assessment objectives
- Review the support Pearson offers for the qualification
- Network, discuss best practice and share ideas with other teachers

Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level Biology: Welcome to Pearson (Module 1) 15 April 2024 at 09:00-11:00 BST

This specialised online training caters to educators who are new to delivering the International Advanced Level Biology specification. The training program consists of two distinct modules, each to be booked onto separately.

Module 1 is dedicated to the art of teaching the course, providing a comprehensive grasp of the qualification's content, insights on effective coverage, course and lesson planning strategies, a thorough understanding of the assessment process, preparation techniques for students, and a succinct overview of the support services offered by Pearson to educators. Throughout Module 1, participants will:

•Uncover the methodology behind the qualification's design and explore fundamental documentation.
•Review the content of the qualification.
•Navigate the intricacies of course and lesson planning, enhancing pedagogical approaches.
•Gain insights into the assessment process of the qualification and discover effective student preparation methods.
•Identify and leverage the support resources available from Pearson to enhance teaching.

Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level Biology: Welcome to Pearson (Module 2) 29 April 2024 at 09:00-11:00 BST

Tailored for educators delivering the International Advanced Level Biology specification, this online training will support your understanding of the assessment.

Module 2 provides a comprehensive exploration of how the specification is evaluated, shedding light on assessment objectives and mark schemes. Participants will engage in hands-on practice by applying mark schemes to exemplar student work, gaining a nuanced understanding of how marks are determined.

In Module 2, participants will:

•Grasp the intricacies of Assessment Objectives for the qualification.
•Dive into an understanding of the diverse question types encountered in the qualification.
•Explore the nuances of mark schemes associated with the qualification.
•Hone their skills through practical application of mark schemes using exemplar student work.
•Learn about the support services offered by Pearson, specifically focusing on assessment and exemplars.

• Go to the Professional Development Academy page to register and view all training opportunities

We will soon be introducing modular International GCSE specifications for overseas students. The specifications will be available to view in April. More information can be obtained from the link below. 

These modular qualifications are for first teaching from September 2024 with first assessment May/June 2025.

The present linear specifications are not being removed and will continue to be available. There will simply be a choice between the existing specifications following the linear assessment route, or the new specifications, that will follow a modular assessment route. Please note, the modular assessment route will not be available for students based in the UK.

• Go to the modular International GCSE webpage

Every month we release Pearson Edexcel View from the Lab Podcasts. These aim to inform, engage and entertain with the help of thought leaders, science journalists and education specialists, joining us for each episode.

In this month's episode Andy Woods is joined by a titan of the science education world – the widely respected Professor Michael Reiss! Michael currently works for University College London’s Institute of Education. His whole career has been deeply embedded in the science world from starting off as a teacher in Cambridgeshire to becoming a well-respected voice in science education and particularly the field of ‘bioethics’. We delve into his thoughts on integrating the three main sciences as well as taking a ‘side road’ to discuss the benefits of ‘psychodynamic counselling’, we also have an opportunity to discuss the friction we sometimes see between science and religion. There’s so much to discover in this enlightening episode!

• Listen to 'View from the Lab Podcasts'

Timetables for this academic year are available on our website. We have also published our provisional timetables for Summer 2025.

• View Summer 2024 timetables
• View Provisional Summer 2025 timetables

This academic year we have a general qualifications assessment support page. Here 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.

It will be updated regularly with the latest announcements, news, support materials to enable you to teach our qualifications and help your students with assessments and post-results support.

Pearson general qualifications bulletins are also sent regularly providing you with key information and updates on our qualifications and assessments for both UK and International centres. You can sign-up to receive these from the link below.

• Go to the assessment support page
• Sign-up to general qualification bulletins

The JCQ have recently updated their guidance on the 'Use of AI in Assessments' document. This guidance is designed to help students and teachers to complete NEAs, coursework and other internal assessments successfully.   

• Read updated guidance on AI from JCQ

We have a Teaching, Learning and Assessment 2023/24 web page which will contain the most up-to-date information on vocational assessment for this academic year. The link to this page is provided below and it is a page you can refer to during the year.

• Visit our Teaching, Learning and Assessment 2023/24 webpage

We send out regular Vocational Qualification Bulletins to keep centres informed of our support and services. You can sign-up for these and also read previous bulletins on our website.

Sign-up to receive regular vocational qualification bulletins 

Read previous vocational qualification bulletins on our website

Please keep an eye on the science news page for the latest BTEC Science updates.

• Science news page