Pearson Edexcel GCSE 9-1 Sciences - Practical Science Statement Head Teacher Declaration Form - FAQs

Oct 20, 2026

Uploaded by Finn

FAQs covering the Practical Science Statement Head Teacher Declaration for Pearson Edexcel GCSE 9-1 Sciences. The guidance explains how practical assessment (a minimum 15% of total marks) is delivered through core practicals and practical skills, what teachers and centres should record, and whether internal evidence must be submitted. It also addresses how to run core practicals, requirements for missed lessons or prolonged absence (including special consideration), authentication by Heads of Centres, arrangements for private external candidates, and the submission deadline and upload process for the declaration form.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time10 min

AccessFree to download

FAQs - Practical Science statement - Head Teacher Declaration Form

Core practical recording and submission

Carrying out core practicals and suggested practicals

Missed practicals and special consideration

Authentication and private external candidates

Practical Science Statement submission process

Pearson Edexcel GCSE 9-1 Sciences FAQs-Practical Science statement-Head Teacher Declaration Form Assessment of practical work is now included as part of the final examinations and a requirement of a minimum of 15% of the total marks must be allocated to questions related to practical. In our exams, we will have questions based on the core practicals as well as other questions related to practical skills that are outlined in specifications. The 18 core practicals for Combined Science and eight for each separate Science cover the full range of apparatus and techniques, listed by DfE; we have listed these core practicals in our specifications. Heads of Centres will be required to sign the Practical Science Statement Head Teacher Declaration confirming that, at centre level, candidates have completed the core practicals. 1. What should teachers be recording to ensure the requirement is met? There is no formal requirement from Ofqual for centres to log/record completion of core practicals. However for best practice, we advise centres to maintain a record to track teaching and learning of core practicals within the department. This practice will provide evidence foryour Head of Centre, to give them confidence in signing the declaration form. 2. Do I need to submit evidence of internal practical records and student work to Pearson Edexcel along with the form? No submission of evidence is required with the form. 3. How should the core practicals be carried out in our centre? During the period of GCSE teaching, teachers will have many opportunities to allow students to participate in core practicals. They can be attempted individually, or in pairs, or where appropriate, some could be demonstrated by the teacher with suitable participation from students to ensure understanding and skill requirements when; designing and planning, collecting and recording results, and when analysing and evaluating experimental results. The new GCSE Science assessments will test the skills, knowledge and understanding of working scientifically, delivered through subject content and the core practicals. 4. Do I need to do all the suggested practicals in addition to the mandatory core practicals? Our assessments will test knowledge and understanding of the core practicals, but also a broad range of practical and working scientifically skills. Whilst we do not require you to complete all the suggested practicals, we do advocate provision of a broad range of practical work in order to help students become practically literate and to prepare for the challenge of the assessments. 5. I have a candidate that has missed a core practical lesson due to absence. Should I make them do the practical outside of lesson time? The onus of the centre declaration is on the centre, not on the individual. At a centre level, you should offer the opportunity for all candidates to complete the core practicals, and should take reasonable steps to ensure they do so. If a candidate has missed a core practical opportunity through absence, this does not preclude the centre declaration form from being signed. However, given the focus on practical work in the examination, the centre should decide on the best course of action to ensure the candidate is fully prepared for the examination. 6. What should I do if a candidate has missed core practical lessons due to prolonged absence from school, e.g. through illness or hospitalisation? In some instances, candidates may have missed a large proportion of the mandatory practical work, and may not be sufficiently prepared for the practical questions within the assessment. In this scenario the centre can apply for special consideration. Centres should complete JCQ form 10 and send it to us at [uk.special.requirements@pearson.com](uk.special.requirements@pearson.com), outlining why the candidate(s) has been unable to complete the practicals along with supporting evidence. 7. A candidate has missed core practical l

FAQs

What should teachers be recording to ensure the practical requirement is met?

There is no formal requirement from Ofqual for centres to log completion of core practicals, but best practice is to maintain a record to track teaching and learning across the department so the Head of Centre has evidence to sign the declaration form.

Do centres need to submit evidence of internal practical records and student work to Pearson Edexcel with the form?

No submission of evidence is required with the form.

What happens if a candidate misses core practical lessons due to prolonged absence?

The centre can apply for special consideration in instances where candidates missed a large proportion of mandatory practical work and may not be sufficiently prepared for practical questions. Centres should complete JCQ form 10 and submit it with supporting evidence to Pearson Edexcel.

Oct 20, 2026

Uploaded by Finn