1. Launch & Support
GCSE Biology
March 2017

2. Agenda Revision of GCSE Qualifications (for first teaching September 2017)
Introduction
Overview of new Specification
Specimen Assessment Materials (SAMs)
Support Materials
Q&A

3. Accreditation Process
Regulatory Framework
General Conditions of Recognition
CCEA will ensure that each qualification offered is fit for purpose
Accreditation Process
N Ireland GCE and GCSE Qualifications Criteria
Two-stage process
Stage 1: submission of qualification strategies for approval
Stage 2: submission of qualification materials for review and accreditation

4. Qualification Strategies
CONTENT - Rationale for the proposed:
inclusion of internal assessment, where relevant
weighting of internal and external assessment
wording and weighting of assessment objectives
assessment of mathematical skills : Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Economics, Business Studies
assessment of QWC and
subject content
ASSESSMENT – Rationale for the:
subject content for Specimen Assessment Materials (SAMs)
content in assessments ensuring full coverage over the lifetime of the qualification
duration of examination papers
allocation of marks in examination papers, where appropriate
number and type of questions in examination papers, where appropriate
word limit or time limit for internal assessment and
allocation of marks for internal assessment

5. Specification and Specimen Assessment Material (SAMs)
Northern Ireland Regulator have carried out:
an administrative review
a subject-specific review
a review of regulatory requirements

6. Collaborative Approach to the Revision
Desk top Research
Writing Teams
Teachers
Higher Education
Consultation
Existing Specifications
Draft Specifications
Consultation with students
Relevant content
Prepared for further study/work

7. Quality Assurance
Higher Education - Higher Education Panel and Subject Advisory Team
Industry - Industry Panel and Subject Advisory Team
Teachers - Subject Advisory Team
Equality Panel - Access for all
Final CCEA Quality Assurance panel - Review of consultation comment logs and comment logs associated with all QA panels

8. Quality Assurance Equality Panel Final CCEA Quality Assurance panel
Access for all
Final CCEA Quality Assurance panel
Review of consultation comment logs
Review of comment logs associated with all QA panels
Only when CCEA Quality Assurance panel is satisfied that all issues raised have been appropriately addressed will the Specification and Sample Assessment material be submitted for accreditation

9. GCSE Biology Unique features Employability New specification
Provides broad balanced base for GCE Biology
Strong emphasis on practical skills
Helps to build up research, problem solving, organisation and analytical skills
Allows students to develop transferable skills that will benefit them in training and
Potential pathway into a range of careers, for example medical, agricultural, environmental, sport and fitness

10. Specification at a glance
Content
Assessment
Divided into three units
Unit 1:Cells, Living processes and Biodiversity
Unit 2: Body Systems, Genetics, Microorganisms and Health
Unit 3: Practical Skills
9 prescribed Practicals over the two years of the course
Units 1 and 2 are each assessed by a written examination
Unit 3 is an externally assessed Practical Skills unit in two parts: Booklet A and Booklet B.
Any unit may be entered at Foundation Tier (C* - G) or Higher Tier (A*- D/E)

11. GSCE Biology Unit 1
Students learn about cells, photosynthesis, nutrition and health, enzymes, breathing and respiration, the nervous system and hormones, and ecological relationships. Students begin by investigating the cell and its importance as the fundamental building block of life, and develop their understanding of the key processes that occur in plants and animals.

12. GSCE Biology Unit 1 Assessment
External written examination
Students answer compulsory structured questions that include short responses, extended writing and calculations.
Foundation Tier: 1 hour 15 mins
Higher Tier: 1 hour 15 mins
Weighting is 35%
Available from Summer 2018

13. GSCE Biology Unit 2
Students focus on osmosis and plant transport, the circulatory system, reproduction, fertility and contraception, genome, chromosomes, genes and DNA, cell division and genetics, variation and selection, microorganisms, defence mechanisms and cancer. Students develop their understanding of the processes involved in maintaining all life and investigate problems that arise due to genetic or environmental causes.

14. GSCE Biology Unit 2 (cont’d)
Students also explore the issues associated with non-communicable diseases, such as heart attacks, strokes and cancer.

15. GSCE Biology Unit 2 Assessment
Externally written examination
Students answer compulsory structured questions that require short responses, extended writing and calculations.
Foundation Tier: 1 hour 30 mins
Higher Tier: 1 hour 30 mins
Weighting 40%
Available from Summer 2019

16. GSCE Biology Unit 3 Practical Skills
Units 1 and 2 include a number of practical tasks that students carry out during the course. Nine of these are prescribed practicals. Unit 3 is an externally assessed Practical Skills unit in two parts: Booklet A and Booklet B.
Booklet A has two practicals from the prescribed practical list. We send a Materials and Apparatus list in December. We send a copy of Booklet A for each student to schools in January. All students must carry these out by May. They are marked externally.

17. GSCE Biology Unit 3 Practical Skills
Booklet A has two practicals from the prescribed practical list. We send a Materials and Apparatus list in December. We send a copy of Booklet A for each student to schools in January. All students must carry these out by May. They are marked externally.

18. GSCE Biology Unit 3 Practical Skills
Booklet B
Booklet B is a timetabled, externally assessed exam taken at the end of final year of study. It consists of questions about planning and carrying out any of the prescribed practicals as well as more general questions about any practical situation that arises from the specification.

19. GSCE Biology Unit 3 Practical Skills
Booklet A
Students carry out two externally marked pre-release practicals in the final year of study.
2 hours for Foundation and Higher Tier
Weighting 7.5%
Available between 1 January and 1May each year beginning in 2019

20. GSCE Biology Unit 3 Practical Skills
Booklet B
External written examination
Students answer compulsory structured questions that include short responses, extended writing and calculations, all set in a practical context
There are two tiers of entry; Foundation and Higher
1 hour for both Tiers

21. GSCE Biology Unit 3 Practical Skills
Booklet B (continued)
Weighting 17.5%
Available every summer beginning 2019

22. Specification Content Overview

23. Specimen Assessment Materials (SAMS)
Overview of SAMS (GCSE Biology)
Q&A

24. GCSE Support Sample assessment materials
Type of Support
Date
Sample assessment materials
Rolling basis from January 2017
Student guides/subject Snapshots
Microsites
Planning Frameworks
Fact files
Rolling basis from March 2017
Bespoke Materials
Support Events
Ongoing

25. Support Biology microsite at www.ccea.org.uk and
specimen assessment materials;
past papers; mark schemes;
Chief Examiner’s reports;
Principal Moderator’s reports;
guidance on progression from Key Stage 3;
planning frameworks;

26. Contacts: GCSE (Add Subject)
Education Manager: Edith Finlay
Telephone: Ext 2267
Subject Support Officer: Nuala Tierney
Telephone: Ext 2292
Specification, sample assessment and support materials available on the subject microsite at

27. Support planning frameworks; centre support visits;
support days for teachers;
practical skills assessment guidance for teachers and candidates;
a resource list; and
exemplification of examination performance

28. Why choose CCEA? mbvbmvbmvb
We support Learners - CCEA puts the learner at the centre of everything we do. We think about what learners need for life and work and then build solutions to meet those needs. We do this for the entire curriculum – from Foundation and Early Years to A level and beyond.
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We are Local - CCEA is Northern Ireland’s awarding body. We understand local needs and we are focused on providing services and products for learners in Northern Ireland. This also means we’re near you, should you need help or support.
We are Listening - CCEA listens to those who use its products and services; this means listening to teachers, employers and learners, and taking action to ensure better outcomes for learners. This approach ensures that we develop relevant, high quality and innovative specifications and support.

29. Working with CCEA The benefits: teacher cover provided
first-hand experience of how the examining system works
user insight to the standards required for the assessment
opportunity to examine assessments across a range of abilities
improved learning and teaching outcomes
creates links with CCEA personnel/subject officer
opportunity to network with other professionals
provides recognition and enhances the professional development of teachers
Examiners and moderators are vital to the success of the examining system
Teachers provide expert knowledge of the specification content
Understanding of the capabilities of the candidature at a specific level

30. Keeping you informed The ReVision microsite – ccea.org.uk/therevision
Essential updates
Specifications & SAMs
Monthly e-Vision newsletter
Subject specific e-alerts Face to face
Social media
Twitter @ccea_info
Facebook ccea.info
Don’t forget to register for your updates on the microsite – ‘keep up to date’ section