GCSE Biology specification receives Ofqual accreditation

Posted on 14 March 2016

The new Twenty First Century Science GCSE Biology specification has been accredited by the regulator Ofqual for teaching in schools in England from September.

It is the first new GCSE science specification to receive accreditation.

The specification was developed by Alistair Moore and Mary Whitehouse in the University of York Science Education Group (UYSEG), using the group's curriculum development expertise and evidence from science education research. It will be administered by the examination board OCR. An accompanying textbook and package of teaching resources are being developed by UYSEG and will be published shortly by Oxford University Press.

The Twenty First Century Science chemistry and physics specifications are currently with the regulator and should be accredited soon.

These third editions of the Twenty First Century Science courses build on the success of the first two editions, originally developed by Professor Robin Millar and colleagues at UYSEG and the Nuffield Foundation. UYSEG's curriculum development work is generously supported by The Salters' Institute.