Click to edit Master title 2015 A LEVEL

Click to edit Master title 2015 A LEVEL PHYSICS style • Click to edit Master text styles LAUNCHlevel – Second EVENT • Third level – Fourth level » Fifth level

Agenda Click to edit Master title style • Click to edit Master text styles 1. Our approach – Second level Third level 2. The • changeslevel – Fourth » Fifth level 3. Our specification 4. Supporting you through the changes 5. Contact information

Click to edit Master title style OUR APPROACH • Click to edit Master text styles – Second level • Third level – Fourth level » Fifth level

The research phase Click to edit Master title style To Click to new Edexcel A text styles • develop edit Master levels, Pearson has involved: v teachers – Second level • Education lecturers v Higher. Third level – Fourth level » Fifth level v subject stakeholders v examiners v students

The role of Higher Education Click to edit Master title style v Initial request from Secretarystyles for HE • Click to edit Master text of State involvement in A level reform – Second level v Ensure that A level prepares students for undergraduate • Third level study – Fourth level » Fifth level v Initial questionnaire across 30 universities v Focus on (i) content, (ii) practical work, (iii) Maths within science v “Advisory groups” (~ 8 people) worked with Pearson on content v Ofqual submission requires evidence from these groups

“World Class Qualifications” Click to edit Master title style v Benchmarking of our A level against similar • Click to edit Master text styles qualifications in other countries – Second level v Internal validity studies looked at comparability of • Third level Edexcel – Fourth level A levels year-on-year » Fifth level v Research from other sources e. g. Ofqual’s report on International Comparisons v Ensure A level continues to have international standing

Click to edit Master title style THE CHANGES • Click to edit Master text styles – Second level • Third level – Fourth level » Fifth level

Common to all Awarding Bodies… Click to edit Master title style Changes edit • Click toto: Master text styles – Second level v the linear nature of AS and A level • Third level v the subject criteria for AS and A level – Fourth level » Fifth level v the assessment objectives for AS and A level v the assessment of mathematics within A level v the assessment of practical work at A level are common to all Awarding Bodies, for accredited specifications for use in England.

The timeline for A level 2015 Click to edit Master title style • Click to edit Master text styles – Second level 2014 • Third level 2015 2016 Summer series as normal Final AS and A 2 exams First teaching First AS exams 2017 – Fourth level Current specification » Fifth level Summer series as normal New Specifications specification in centres First A level exams

Subject criteria for GCE 2015 Click to edit Master title style v generic statements showing content for A level (and AS) • Click to edit Master text styles v this content must be in ALL accredited specifications – Second level • Third criteria make up 60% of A level (and AS) v the subjectlevel – Fourth level » Fifth level v the remaining 40% is at the discretion of each Awarding Body; and can be additional breadth or depth v some statements revised, or moved between AS and A level v low level of change in content of subject criteria

Features of the subject criteria Click to edit Master title style Very few to edit Master text styles but: • Click changes to the subject content, v some statements moved between AS and A level – Second level • Third level v requirement for proportion of marks to be assigned to – maths within each science assessing Fourth level » Fifth level v Assessment Objectives re-worded and given new weightings v AS content remains a sub-set of the A level content v “How Science Works” statements remain in introduction, but not referred to in assessment objectives

Revised assessment objectives Click to edit Master title style • Click to edit Master text styles AO 1 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, processes, techniques and –procedures level Second AO 2 Apply knowledge and understanding of • Third level scientific Fourth level – ideas, processes, techniques and procedures: Fifth level » in a theoretical context in a practical context when handling qualitative data when handling quantitative data AO 3 Analyse, interpret and evaluate scientific information, ideas & evidence, including in relation to issues, to: make judgements and reach conclusions develop and refine practical design and procedures A level AS level 30 – 35% 35 – 40% 40 – 45% 25 – 30% 20 – 25%

The role of AS level Click to edit Master title style v AS level becomes a “stand alone” qualification • Click to edit Master text styles v Revised AS level is the same standard as current AS – Second level • Third level v AS can be the same content as the first year of A Level – Fourth level i. e. AS is co-teachable with A level » Fifth level v Students can still take AS level then go on to A level v If students take AS level examinations, these marks DO NOT form part of overall A Level grade v The A level grade is awarded for performance on A level papers only – these papers will integrate AS material

Click to edit Master title style OUR • Click to edit Master text SPECIFICATION styles – Second level • Third level – Fourth level » Fifth level

Features of Edexcel specifications Click to edit Master title style v specifications clearly organised into topics • Click to edit Master text styles v content revised in light of subject criteria changes – Second level • Third level v some changes to help improve progression from – to further as well as Fourth level study or to the workplace GCSE, » Fifth level v topic introductions give guidance for developing practical and mathematical skills v further support for practical and mathematical skills in appendices

General introduction Click to edit Master title style v AS and A edit Master text available • Click to level specifications styles v A level specification arranged to show AS material first – Second level • Third level v “core practicals” embedded into specifications – Fourth level » Fifth level v new set of “command words” used to improve clarity: KNOW UNDERSTAND BE ABLE TO v supported by high-quality assessments and support material

A level Physics Click to edit Master title style v small changes to the criteria styles • Click to edit Master text e. g. momentum (in one dimension) moves to AS – Second level • Third level v some additions to the specification – Fourth level » Fifth level e. g. increased optics at AS v non-core topics such as astrophysics retained v 40% of marks allocated to mathematical skills v single specification – can be taught as a concept course, or context using SHAP materials

Physics Click to edit Master title style v The topics are broadly unchanged from • Click to edit Master text styles current A level – Second level • Third level AS level / A level Year 1 A level Year 2 “Working as a Physicist” » Fifth level Further mechanics Mechanics Fields Electric circuits Nuclear and particle physics Materials Thermodynamics Waves and the particle nature Chemistry of light Space – Fourth level Nuclear radiation Oscillations

Physics – using Salters Horners Click to edit Master title style v SHAP approach. Master text styles course • Click to edit provides a context-led v real-life contexts developed in partnership with schools, – Second level universities and industry • Third level – Fourth level v centres may like to use the SHAP approach for some » Fifth level topics, and a concept approach for others v topics retain same titles as currently, but some movement of material to improve storylines v fully-supported by resources for this approach

Click to edit Master title style OUR SPECIFICATION • Click to edit Master text styles - ASSESSING PRACTICAL – Second level SKILLSlevel • Third – Fourth level » Fifth level

Practical assessment at A level Click to edit Master title style v Revised Aedit Master text styles “coursework” or • Click to levels will not contain any project activities which count towards the A level grade. – Second level • Third level – Fourth level Two assessed aspects of practical assessment: » Fifth level v aspects of practical work to be assessed in written examinations v practical competency to be assessed separately, by teachers

Practical assessment in Click to edit Master title style written papers • Click to edit Master text styles Questions on AS and A level papers must assess practical – Second level skills in • these level areas: Third – Fourth thinking v Independent level » Fifth level v Use and application of scientific methods and practices v Numeracy and the application of mathematical concepts in a practical context v Instruments and equipment Questions may be asked in the context of core practicals, or applied to other practical scenarios.

Practical work in the specification Click to edit Master title style • Click to edit Master text styles To keep practical work at the heart of the specification, – Second level Awarding. Third leveland the regulator have agreed to: Bodies • – Fourth level v add a number of key practical techniques to subject » Fifth level criteria v include a minimum of 12 “core” practicals in all specifications v have at least 15% of marks in written examinations which cover the assessment of practical work

What will core practicals be like? Click to edit Master title style For the Edexcel specifications: • Click to edit Master text styles v 16 Second activities – practical level • Third into v embedded level the topics – Fourth level » Fifth level v covering the required techniques v split between first and second year v “tried and tested” v mostly take place in a single lesson v NB – practicals may differ between Awarding Bodies

The practical competency measure Click to edit Master title style Confirmed by Ofqual: • Click to edit Master text styles v only available at A level – Second level • Third level v involves on-going assessment by teachers – Fourth level » Fifth level v reported alongside A level grade, but does not affect that grade v reported as “pass” or “not reported”

The practical competency measure Click to edit Master title style Still under discussion: • Click to edit Master text styles v the. Second level – nature of the evidence required to show completion of core practicals • Third level – Fourth the v the wording of level competency statements against » Fifth level which students are assessed v any other procedures e. g. visiting moderators Final details for the assessment of practical competency will be reported after an Ofqual trial this autumn.

OUR SPECIFICATION style Click to edit Master title - ASSESSING text styles • Click to edit Master MATHEMATICAL SKILLS – Second level • Third level – Fourth level » Fifth level

The background Click to edit Master title style v Smith to editrecommended minimum weighting for • Click Report Master text styles assessment of mathematical skills within science – Second level v 10% • in Biology, 20% in Chemistry, 40% in Physics Third level – Fourth level v needs to be “Level 2 or above” » Fifth level v where maths above Level 2 is expected, it will need to be taught

The skill areas Click to edit Master title style New mathematical appendices in the A level science • Click to edit Master text styles specifications will encourage students to develop skills – the areas of: within. Second level • Third level v v v – Fourth level Arithmetic and numerical computation » Fifth level Handling data Algebra Graphs Geometry and trigonometry

Exemplifying the skills Click to edit Master title style For each to edit Master text appendix will give some • Click skill, the mathematics styles examples of where this skill could be encountered. – Second level e. g. • Third level – Fourth level C. 2. 2 Change the subject of » Fifth level an equation, including non-linear equations Candidates may be tested on their ability to: rearrange E = mc 2 to make m the subject C. 3. 3 Candidates may be tested on their ability to: rearrange and compare v = u + at with y = mx + c for velocity-time graph in constant acceleration problems Understand that y = mx + c represents a linear relationship

Click to edit Master title style OUR SPECIFICATION • Click to edit Master text styles - ASSESSMENT MODEL – Second level AND Third level SAMS • – Fourth level » Fifth level

Features of Edexcel SAMs Click to edit Master title style v mixture of question types • Click to edit Master text styles v questions ramped in difficulty through the paper – Second level • Third level v consistent demand profile of question from year to year – Fourth level » Fifth level v at AS, two papers mostly based in a subset of AS topics v At A level, Paper 1 and 2 are also topic-based v Paper 3 will assess across the whole subject, and have a practical focus

Physics Click to edit Master title style v AS examination model text styles • Click to edit Master – Second level Paper 1 • Third level Paper 2 – Fourth marks 1 h 30 mins, 80 level 1 h 30 mins, 80 marks 50% of AS Section A: covers Topics 1 & 2 Section A: covers Topics 3 & 4 Section B: draws across AS » Fifth level I Includes questions on practicals

Physics Click to edit Master title style v A levelto edit Master text styles • Click examination model – Second level Paper 1 • Third level Paper 2 Paper 3 1 h 45 mins 2 h 30 mins 90 marks 120 marks Topics 9 - 13 (drawing on AS Topics 1, 4 & 5) All topics – half the paper is practical – Fourth level 1 h 45 mins 90 marks » Fifth level Topics 6, 7 & 8 (drawing on AS Topics 1 - 3) 40% of A level 30% of A level

Click to edit Master title style • Click to edit Master text styles – Second level • Third level – Fourth level » Fifth level Supporting you through the changes

Supporting you through the Click to edit Master title style changes • Click to edit Master text styles – Second level • Third level Planning your Teaching and – Fourth level delivery » Fifth level learning Training from Pearson Understanding the standard Personal and local support

Click to edit Master title style • Click to edit Master text styles – Second level • Third level – Fourth level » Fifth level

Planning and delivery Click to edit Master title style We are providing Master textsupport you need to plan • Click to edit you with the styles your delivery. – Second level • Third level v Getting–Started Guide - helping you understand the Fourth level » Fifth level changes to content and assessment in our specifications v Mapping Documents from our existing specifications – helping you see the changes which will affect you v Schemes of Work - helping you plan your delivery v Delivery Guidance for Core Practicals These materials are provided free, through the website.

Teaching and learning Click to edit Master title style Our free to edit specific resources will focus on how to • Click subject Master text styles help learners develop deeper understanding and overcome – Second level potential barriers to learning and include: • Third level – Fourth level » Fifth level Transition Guides GCSE to A level Guides to developing Investigative and Maths Skills Topic Delivery Guides

Teaching and learning Click to edit Master title style Transitionedit Master text to A level • Click to Guides – GCSE styles Subject specific transition guides to develop students’ – Second level skills in • their first lessons Third level – A five-lesson. Fourth level of work mapped to the content of scheme » Fifth level each specification and including: v classroom materials v baseline assessments v practice questions

Teaching and learning Click to edit Master title style Developing Investigative Skills at A level • Click to edit Master text styles v teacher and student guides – Second level • Third level v support the integration of investigative skills into the – Fourth level teaching of » Fifth levelscience A level Developing Maths Skills at A level v teacher and student guides v provide support on the mathematical appendices v encourage integration of mathematical skills through practice questions and exemplars

Teaching and learning Click to edit Master title style Topic Guides Master text styles • Click to edit v written by experts and informed by teachers – Second level • Third level v designed to refresh knowledge and give suggested – Fourth level teaching approaches » Fifth level v cover areas of new thinking or topics which are new to our specifications v provide approaches to teaching the specification content v lesson ideas, including suggested classroom materials v practice questions

Understanding the standard Click to edit Master title style To Clickyou edit Master text styles the new A Level, • help to understand the standard of we will provide: – Second level • Third level – set level v Additional. Fourthof assessment materials alongside our » Fifth level accredited SAMs (Sample Assessment Materials) v Exemplar student work, with examiner commentaries, derived from our trialling with centres v Mark schemes that have been researched and trialled v For A level (but not AS) a third set of assessment materials will be available during the first year of teaching

Understanding the standard Click to edit Master title style Enhanced Examiner Reports, as styles • Click to edit Master text in present specification, to highlight common areas of student misunderstanding – Second level • Third level – Fourth level » Fifth level

Tracking progress Click to edit Master title style v Our new qualification will have an additional set of • Click to edit Master text styles papers prior to first teaching, for you to use as a mock – Second level exam or earlier in the course. • Third level v Results. Plus provides the most detailed analysis available – Fourth level » Fifth exam performance. It can help you to of your students’level identify topics and skills where students could benefit from further learning. v Mock Analysis provides analysis of past exam papers which can be set as mock exams. www. edexcel. com/resultsplus

Tracking progress Click to edit Master title style v Allows to editcreate your own • Click you to Master text styles tests online using FREE past – Second level paper questions. • Third level v Contains a huge bank of past – Fourth level » Edexcel exam. Fifth level questions and support materials to help you create your own mock exams, topic tests, homework or revision activities. v Helps you search for past papers, mark schemes and examiners’ reports. www. examwizard. co. uk

Training from Pearson Click to edit Master title style Events into timely. Master text styles • Click a edit manner to help you prepare to teach the new specification: – Second level v Getting ready to teach events in early • Third level 2015. – Fourth level » Fifth level v Professional development events with a focus on developing expertise to support good teaching and learning. www. edexcel. com/training

Personal support Click to edit Master title style v Stephen Nugus. Master text styles • Click to edit – Science Subject Advisor v Curriculum and centre support from our local – Second level Curriculumlevel Development Managers and • Third Curriculum Support Consultants – Fourth level » Fifth level v Support for local network events v Science Team Updates – email support giving regular news, past papers, information on training… scienceteamupdates@pearson. com

Click to edit Master title style CONTACT • Click to edit Master text INFORMATION styles – Second level • Third level – Fourth level » Fifth level

Contact information Click to edit Master title style • Click to edit Master text styles v Subject Advisor email: Teaching. Science@pearson. com – Second level • Third level v Subject Advisor telephone number: 0844 576 0037 – Fourth level » Fifth level v Subject page link: www. edexcel. com/ALevel. Sciences 2015 v www. edexcel. com/contactus