1. Meet the A Level PAGs
Dr Richard Tateson / Dr Katherine Hands-Taylor (Biology)
Dr David Paterson (Chemistry)
Mr Neil Wade (Physics)

2. Outline
General Introduction
Hands-on time with some activities
Consolidation and questions

3. Planning practical work and the Practical Endorsement

4. The Endorsement in a nutshell
5 Common Practical Assessment Criteria
which students must ‘routinely and consistently’ demonstrate
students must complete minimum of 12 activities, covering
practical skills
Module 1.2.1(a–j)
use of apparatus and techniques
Module 1.2.2(a–l)
but students may demonstrate competence in any practical

5. The Endorsement in a nutshell
Only certificated at A Level
… but incorporating activities from across the two years of the A Level
AS students can be taught in parallel with Year 1 A Level
Teacher assessment: Pass or Not classified
reported separately to the A Level grade

6. Evidencing – the requirements
documented plans to carry out sufficient practical activities which meet the requirements of CPAC, incorporating skills and techniques detailed, over the course of the A level
a record of each practical activity
a record of the criteria being assessed
a record of student attendance
a record of which student met the criteria
any associated materials provided for the practical activity
students’ own records
Covered by OCR flexible PAG tracker!
Go to tracker to demo if required.

7. Practical work – more than just doing PAGs
Practical work is integral to teaching and learning.
Ensuring full coverage of the specification and preparation for exams, especially AO2 and AO3 questions.
With a broad practical experience across the course, the practical endorsement should be more than covered.

8. Written assessment of practical skills
at AS and A Level
minimum 15% of marks
questions will assess knowledge and understanding of
practical skills
Module 1.1
techniques and procedures
throughout specification
(but remember AO2 and AO3)

9. Resourcing - OCR activities
Three for each PAG
Available from Interchange
Not compulsory!
Can be adapted

10. Resourcing – external activities
You can use any relevant practical work, e.g.
scientific organisations
publishing companies
developed yourself

11. NEW – the flexible tracker
Modify mapping of OCR activities
Room for 48 additional activities
Flexible ordering on the ‘Class attendance summary’ tab
Go to Interchange. Show:
How to find materials
Where PAG activities are
Practical Skills Handbook
Maths Skills Handbook
Trackers

12. Hands on today Biology: Chemistry: Physics Dissection (PAG2)
Food test detective (PAG9)
Chemistry:
Microscale electrochemistry (PAG8)
Microscale rates (PAG9/10)
Separating funnels (PAG5)
Physics
A box of bits (all PAGs)