1. Science Subject Leaders Network 2014-15
Monday 15th June 2015
George Spencer Academy
Jules Gordon – Curriculum Leader for Science, George Spencer Academy

2. Science Subject Leaders Network 2014-15
Sessions
Morning
Student Accountability
Engaging Learners
CASE – The updated programme
GCSE Combined Science discussion - What to do with year 9?
Opportunities for CPD
Afternoon
A Level Practicals

3. Programme Time Session Lead 09.00 09.10
Lead
Arrival, coffee, register and introductions
Welcome 
Jules Gordon, GSA Science Leader
09:45 10:15
Student Accountability
Engaging Learners
Rob Cruxon, Sutton Community Academy Science Leader
Sue Harman, Top Valley Academy Second in Science
Coffee and Networking
CASE – The updated programme
Mary Oliver, UoN Associate Professor in Science Education
 11:00 12:00
12:00 12:30
 GCSE Combined Science discussion
- What to do with year 9?
Opportunities for CPD
Rachel Barrett – National VideoGame Arcade
Jules Gordon – RCUK cutting edge Science
Jules Gordon – Future Science Subject Leader meetings
 Jules Gordon, GSA Science Leader
Lunch
A Level Practicals
George Spencer Science Technicians
15.00
Close
Plenary – completing learning logs, evaluation forms, revisiting STEM portal.
Date for next Science Networks in
Monday 23rd November, 2015 Venue – National STEM Centre, York
Tuesday 2nd February, 2016 Venue - George Spencer Academy
Wednesday 22nd June, 2016 Venue - George Spencer Academy

4. GCSE Combined Science discussion - What to do with year 9?
Outcomes
Recall the changes to the courses on offer and assessment of these courses for current Year 8 students.
Formulate a plan for Year 9 to enable staff and students to be ready for these courses.

5. What we know, then, is that roughly the same proportion of students as currently achieve grades A*-C in existing GCSEs will achieve grades 9-4 in the new GCSEs, but that the threshold standard is being raised to grade 5 against international benchmarks. But we still don’t know what students will have to know or be able to do for that grade 5 in any given subject, nor are we likely to as the boundaries will shift year on year, especially in the infancy of the qualifications I suspect.
All of this means two things:
We need to aim higher if we are to get as many students as possible to grade 5 and above – it will be tougher than C and above.
Linking our assessment system to GCSE grades (as was our original plan) is not going to work.

6. Determining progression? A*
GCE assessment ?
G4/5
Expected standard
GCSE assessment ?
(L4b)
KS2 assessment ?
(L2b) ?
KS1 assessment
Baseline assessment
Age 5
Age 7
Age 11
Age 16
Age 18

7. Quick Quiz
When can you begin teaching Year 10 students the new specifications?
A)September 2015
B)September 2016
C)September 2017

8. Quick Quiz
When can you begin teaching Year 10 students the new specifications?
A)September 2015
B)September 2016
C)September 2017
You can begin teaching Year 10 students from September However, 60% of you have told us you’ll begin teaching from the draft specification with Year 9 students during the 2015/16 academic year.

9. Quick Quiz
2. When are the first exams for the new GCSE science specifications?
A) Summer 2016
B) Summer 2017
C) Autumn 2018
D) Summer 2018

10. Quick Quiz
2. When are the first exams for the new GCSE science specifications? A) Summer 2016 B) Summer 2017 C) Autumn 2018 D) Summer 2018 The first exams for the new specifications will be in summer 2018.

11. Quick Quiz
3. Will there still be a single award for combined science? A) Yes, Core and Additional Science will still be available B) Yes, but only Core Science C) Yes, but only Additional Science D) No

12. Quick Quiz
3. Will there still be a single award for combined science? A) Yes, Core and Additional Science will still be available B) Yes, but only Core Science C) Yes, but only Additional Science D) No No. Single award combined science will no longer be offered.

13. Quick Quiz
4. Which of the following statements describes the exam structure for the new science specifications? A) All science specifications combine exams and non-exam assessment throughout the two year course B) All science specifications are linear, which means students take exams at the end of the course C) All science specifications are modular, which means students take exams at several points over the first year and second year of the course

14. Quick Quiz
4. Which of the following statements describes the exam structure for the new science specifications? A) All science specifications combine exams and non-exam assessment throughout the two year course B) All science specifications are linear, which means students take exams at the end of the course C) All science specifications are modular, which means students take exams at several points over the first year and second year of the course All new science specifications will be examined at the end of the student’s course.

15. Quick Quiz
5. Will there be opportunities to resit exams for the current specifications?
A) Yes
B) No

16. Quick Quiz
5. Will there be opportunities to resit exams for the current specifications? A) Yes B) No Yes, but only until 2017 when the last exams for these specifications will be taken.

17. Quick Quiz
6. What is the grading structure for the new GCSE specifications?
A) Same as current structure: alphabetical grades (where A* is highest)
B) Same as current structure: alphabetical grades, but with A* removed
C) Numerical grades 1-9 (where 1 is highest)
D) Numerical grades 9-1 (where 9 is highest)

18. Quick Quiz
6. What is the grading structure for the new GCSE specifications? A) Same as current structure: alphabetical grades (where A* is highest) B) Same as current structure: alphabetical grades, but with A* removed C) Numerical grades 1-9 (where 1 is highest) D) Numerical grades 9-1 (where 9 is highest) Numerical grades will replace alphabetical A* to E grades, with 9 being the highest and 1 the lowest. Students who’ve completed GCSE combined science double award qualifications will receive two grades, eg 1-1, 1-2, 8-9.

19. Quick Quiz
7. Will students have access to a periodic table in their exams?
A) Yes
B) Yes, but it will not have the reactivity series
C) No

20. Quick Quiz
7. Will students have access to a periodic table in their exams? A) Yes B) Yes, but it will not have the reactivity series C) No Students will still have access to a periodic table but it will not have the reactivity series.

21. Quick Quiz 8. How will practical skills be assessed for GCSE science?
A) In written exams only
B) In written exams and through non-exam assessment
C) Through non-exam assessment only

22. Quick Quiz
8. How will practical skills be assessed for GCSE science? A) In written exams only B) In written exams and through non-exam assessment C) Through non-exam assessment only Students will be assessed on their practical skills through questions in their exam papers

23. Where to start with year 9…
AQA – Biomimicry Edexcel - Biology, Chemistry and Physics materials OCR – routes A and B are swapping over so Gateway becomes route A – mapping tool available and some resources

24. Discussion Look at the resources using the ipad or the printed sheets.
Key questions to discuss:
When are you starting to teach GCSE courses?
How will triple Science be offered?
What will you do to cater for lower ability?
Will you stay with the same exam board?
How are you recording practicals?
How are you assessing against the 1-9 grading?

25. GCSE Combined Science discussion - What to do with year 9?
Outcomes
Recall the changes to the courses on offer and assessment of these courses for current Year 8 students.
Formulate a plan for Year 9 to enable staff and students to be ready for these courses.

26. Further opportunities for CPD...
Local
STEM – Phil Hughes –
Teachmeets – Questioning is tomorrow (16th
SLP courses – flyers sent by Redhill / Tuxford
Date for Science Networks in
Monday 23rd November, 2015 Venue – National STEM Centre, York (TBC)
Tuesday 2nd February, 2016 Venue - George Spencer Academy
Wednesday 22nd June, 2016 Venue - George Spencer Academy

27. A Level Practicals Outcomes
Recall how to do the practicals for A level Sciences and provide support for those not done before.
Discuss which investigative science strands are going to be taught and assessed with each practical and how this is to be achieved.

28. Assessment of practicals at A level
AQA - (from 2014 but sets the scene)
EDEXCEL - (from 3min15sec)
More practicals in science 
Students will do a minimum of 12 practicals across their A-level course
Questions in exam papers will test students' knowledge and understanding of their practical work
Students will be awarded an A-level grade based on their exams, and a 'pass' or 'fail' for practical work in lessons
Teachers will assess students’ practical skills as part of the Practical Endorsement at A level. This is separate to the A level grade, and if awarded, will be reported as a 'Pass' on students' A level certificates
Students will better develop the vital skills they need for further study

29. Common Practical Assessment Criteria (CPAC)
Score -
5 areas – see next slide

30. Competency Practical mastery
In order to achieve a pass, students will need to have met the following expectations: Students will be expected to develop these competencies through the acquisition of the technical skills specified for each science subject Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Students can demonstrate these competencies in any practical activity undertaken throughout the course of study. The 12 practical activities prescribed in the subject specification, which cover the requirements of appendix 5c of the DfE content for sciences, will provide opportunities for demonstrating competence in all the skills identified together with the use of apparatus and practical techniques for each subject. Students may work in groups but must be able to demonstrate and record independent evidence of their competency. This must include evidence of independent application of investigative approaches and methods to practical work. Teachers who award a pass to their students need to be confident that the student consistently and routinely exhibits the competencies listed below before completion of the A-level course. 1. Follows written procedures Correctly follows instructions to carry out the experimental techniques or procedures. 2. Applies investigative approaches and methods when using instruments and equipment Correctly uses appropriate instrumentation, apparatus and materials (including ICT) to carry out investigative activities, experimental techniques and procedures with minimal assistance or prompting. Carries out techniques or procedures methodically, in sequence and in combination, identifying practical issues and making adjustments when necessary. Identifies and controls significant quantitative variables where applicable, and plans approaches to take account of variables that cannot readily be controlled. Selects appropriate equipment and measurement strategies in order to ensure suitably accurate results. 3. Safely uses a range of practical equipment and materials Identifies hazards and assesses risks associated with these hazards when carrying out experimental techniques and procedures in the lab or field. Uses appropriate safety equipment and approaches to minimise risks with minimal prompting. Identifies safety issues and makes adjustments when necessary. 4. Makes and records observations Makes accurate observations relevant to the experimental or investigative procedure. Obtains accurate, precise and sufficient data for experimental and investigative procedures and records this methodically using appropriate units and conventions. 5. Researches, references and reports Uses appropriate software and/or tools to process data, carry out research and report findings. Sources of information are cited demonstrating that research has taken place, supporting planning and conclusions.

31. Please can you complete your learning logs and evaluation forms.
Plenary
Please can you complete your learning logs and evaluation forms.