Entry Level Certificate in Science

Edexcel will be launching a revised Entry Level Certificate in Science in November 2005.The details below outline the draft specification and assessment for this new qualification for first teaching in September 2006 and first award in June 2007.

The Entry Level Certificate in Science gives students access to the Key Stage 4 Programme of Study. It consists of twelve units and is designed to meet students’ individual learning styles by teaching the course in small steps.

As each unit is only assessed when the teacher decides that students are ready for assessment, students are more motivated and have greater chances for success.

Draft specification
The new Entry Level Certificate in Science has been designed to:
• reflect the changes in the Key Stage 4 Programme of Study
• recognise achievement at National Curriculum levels 1, 2 and 3
• motivate students by recognising small steps of achievement
• provide flexible assessment routes to meet student needs
• recognise teachers’ professional judgement through internal assessment
• provide a qualification for students at Key Stage 4 for whom GCSE Science is not appropriate
• provide links to the new Edexcel GCSE Science qualification,which then offers a clear progression route for students
• be co-taught with Edexcel GCSE Science.

Course structure
The Edexcel Entry Level Science qualification will consist of twelve units. Their titles (to be confirmed) are:

A Biology – Survival, Reproduction,  All about you, Self-defence

B Chemistry - Chemical patterns, Making changes, Where do materials come from?, Useful chemicals

C Physics - Electricity and its uses, The world is full of energy, Waves and their uses,  Exploring space

Assessment
There are two marked assessment options for each unit:
• Written test
• Short assignment-based task

Teachers can select the assessment that is most appropriate for their students. Students must submit an assessment mark for ten of the twelve units.

The tests and the assignment-based task will be marked by the teacher against criteria supplied by Edexcel. All internally marked assessments will be externally moderated by an examiner appointed by Edexcel.

Support materials
The specification will include suggestions for student activities and support material will be available on our website.
Please note the proposals set out here are subject to approval from QCA.