Required Practicals (or core practicals) have been a part of GCSE science courses since 2018. This session looks back at why they were introduced, what knowledge and understanding they are meant to develop in students and how this is assessed in exams. We will look at how well students perform in these exams, and what lessons this can teach us about these practicals should be delivered as part of a science curriculum.

We know that practical work is an important part of teaching science and yet many teachers have gaps in their skills or may not be confident to deliver it effectively. This series of workshops takes several of the practical science workshops from our annual conference and gives teachers a chance to attend them (or maybe to repeat them and ask questions)

The workshops are intended for secondary phase teachers (although primary members are welcome to attend and view through the lens of the new purposeful primary practical science report) The workshops will be held online (using the Zoom platform) and will be recorded, with the recording provided only to those who registered. The workshops are intended for classroom teachers and curriculum leaders for science - we hope that these will provide ideas to improve practical science at a department/curriculum level and at an individual level.

Feedback from our annual conference was overwhelmingly positive and we hope that you will take this unique opportunity to join in these online workshops. Attending the live workshop gives you the opportunity to ask questions and join in the chat - which won't be the case if you watch the recording.