A longitudinal survey of teachers' attitudes to the reform of GCSE and AS/A-level sciences, 2015-2017

In England, GCSE and AS/A-level practical assessment has been reformed, with controlled assessments replaced with practical assessment in written exams and direct assessment at A-level. The awarding body OCR surveyed science teacher attitudes to the reform during its introduction. Teachers considered post-reform qualifications better in that they allowed for a wider range of activities and had positive impact on teaching and learning of theory. The need to offer assessed practical work was no longer seen as a challenge to effective practical delivery. Views of the purposes of practical science, its characteristics and other challenges to it remained relatively constant over time.