1. Introducing the new GCSE Science Specifications
Science Subject Specialist

2. Meet the team Crawford Kingsnorth Sarah Old Ann Wolstenholme
Biology
Sarah Old
Biology
Ann Wolstenholme
Chemistry
Puj Ladduwahetty
Chemistry
Michelle Hawley
Physics
Natasha Chowdhury
Physics
Chae Cruickshank
Geology, Physics

3. Today The changes Draft specifications
Gateway and Twenty First Century
Resources and how we can help you

4. What’s changed Grading 9-1 Criteria 2 year course
2 year course
No controlled assessment
Practical questions and teacher judgement

5. Top 20% who achieve a Grade 7 or above will be awarded a Grade 9

6. Ofqual guidelines Minimum of 3.5 hours for each single science
Minimum of 7 hours for combined science
Look of the grades: 17 point scale
Practical skills assessment (15% weighting)

7. Split ratio of 1:2:3 for Biology, Chemistry and Physics
Maths content
Separate Sciences
Biology: 10 %
Chemistry: 20%
Physics: 30%
Combined Science
Maths content: 20%
Split ratio of 1:2:3 for Biology, Chemistry and Physics

8. Ofqual consultation Why change is needed?
Doc is hyperlinked to the original doc

9. Practical work proposals
Valid, reliable manageable assessments
Written exams including questions on students’ practical science experience (proposed 15%)
Eight practical activities per science
Student records to support teacher judgement
Schools would confirm with the exam board that practical activities have been completed
Opportunities to use relevant apparatus to develop and demonstrate a range of practical techniques.

10. Practical apparatus and techniques

11. Teaching timeline Exam series 2017 Exam series 2018 Exam series 2019
Start new GCSE Sept 2017,
examinations Summer 2019
Current year 7’s
Start new GCSE Sept 2016,
examinations Summer 2018
Current year 8’s
Old spec
Current year 9’s
3 year KS4 provision?
Draft specs available online once submitted
Refer to the DfE guidance for the subject content
Early resource packages and support to start delivery will be made available
What are your plans?

12. Guidelines
All hyperlinked

13. Who has been involved? Teachers Learned societies Subject specialists
Universities and industry
Educational consultants
DfE
Assessors
Ofqual

14. Draft timeline Reform work, spec writing / resources / SAMs
Between now and June Summer July – Sept Autumn 2015
Reform work, spec writing / resources / SAMs
Submission Deadline
Decision issued
Ofqual review
Constantly changing – this is where we are now

15. Today The changes Draft specifications
Gateway and Twenty First Century
Resources and how we can help you

16. Two suites Twenty First Century Gateway
Interesting activities and experiences that link to scientific ideas
Real world examples
Scientific explanations and theories
Practical work
Twenty First Century
Engaging to study and motivating for you to teach
Choose your delivery style
How Science Works
Context led teaching approach

17. Your choice Separate Sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Physics
separate GCSEs
Combined Science:
Three sciences studied together (2 GCSEs)
Both have a choice of…

18. The New Gateway Science (Draft)

19. Specification Hyperlinked to draft spec
The final Separate Sciences specs will indicate separate science content only so that content of Combined Science is clear.

20. Content

21. 8 topics for the Physics and not 6 as in the Chemistry and Biology – not an indication of more content, just easier to split and perhaps easier to assign to non-specialist teachers (lack of physics teachers in schools).
The Gateway Combined Science A contains a reduced proportion of the total content from all three sciences

22. Exam models Separate Sciences
Models similar to our KS5

24. Combined Science

25. The New Twenty First Century (Draft)

26. Specification
Hyperlinked to draft spec

27. Content

29. Exam models Separate Sciences
Models similar to our examinations for KS5

31. Combined Science

32. Our approach to practical's
Biology
Practical Activity Group 1
Microscopy 2
Testing for biological molecules 3
Sampling techniques 4
Rates of enzyme-controlled reactions 5
Photosynthesis and respiration 6
Physiology and responses 7
Microbiological techniques 8
Transport in and out of cells
Practical Activity Groups – mapped throughout the specifications with ideas of practicals that can be done within each group to match the DfE skills.
Autonomy for teachers to embed practical work during the course of study
Open suggestions of practicals so new equipment should not need to be purchased

33. Practical Activity Group
Chemistry
Practical Activity Group 1
Reactivity trend 2
Electrolysis 3
Distillation 4
Separation Techniques 5
Identification of species 6
Titration 7
Production of salts 8
Measuring rates of reaction

34. Practical Activity Group
Physics
Practical Activity Group 1
Materials 2
Forces 3
Motion 4
Measuring Waves 5
Energy 6
Circuit components 7
Series and Parallel Circuits 8
Interactions of waves

35. Change to the practical approach
the teaching and learning line
the OCR model, practical assessment embedded in teaching and learning

36. Practical Activity Groups at KS5
Good for transition from KS4 to KS5 with our specs. 2 specs at A-level of a similar content and exam approach to the Science A and B at GCSE.

37. Other options
Entry Level Science
Cambridge Nationals
STEM projects

38. Entry Level Science
The content covers science will feature in the students lives
13 items each for Biology Chemistry and Physics
39 topic ‘items’
Interim awards may be given for motivation and to maintain engagement
Bronze 40%
Silver 60%
Gold 80%

39. Cambridge Nationals Science Science in the Workplace
Resource Menu
Cambridge National Certificate in Science L1/2
Cambridge National Certificate in Science in the Workplace L1/2
Applied qualifications for 14 to 16 years olds - Key Stage 4
Synoptic assessment
The Certificate is Equivalent to GCSE (120GLH)
Lesson Elements

41. Today The changes Draft specifications
Gateway and Twenty First Century
Resources and how we can help you

42. Transition KS3  KS5

43. Resources COVERAGE OF PARTICULAR TOPICS INDIVIDUAL TEACHING ACTIVITIES
COVERAGE OF FULL QUALIFICATION CONTENT
INDIVIDUAL TEACHING ACTIVITIES
TOPIC EXPLORATION PACKS
DELIVERY GUIDES
All hyperlinked
LESSON ELEMENTS
TRANSITION GUIDES

44. Resources for you
Video – will work with internet access

45. Support

46. Support Cluster groups:
free CPD, visits from subject specialists, trials, peer support
Networking opportunities for new centres
Webinars
Support
Free online training materials
Customer support from subject specialists

47. Other resources for you:
brochures
Draft specifications and draft sample assessment material
Resources e.g. transition guides, delivery guides
Practical Skills Handbook
Maths Skills Handbook
Maths mapping to the GCSE
Mock papers
ExamCreator (
Active Results (
Science Spotlight – keep up to date with changes in science, resources and sharing good practice

48. Keep in touch!
@ocr_science
ocr.org.uk/science