Survey outcomes: GCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics

In September 2025, Qualifications Wales announced a further consultation on the future range of science GCSEs, to be undertaken in autumn 2028.  

As a result, our existing GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics will continue to be available until summer 2031. The suite of science GCSEs from September 2031 onwards will be determined by Qualifications Wales’ 2028 consultation. 

We launched a survey in October to gather feedback and gauge support for potential amendments to our existing separate science GCSEs in this interim period. 

Survey feedback 
The survey outlined four options relating to our existing GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics:  

  • Option 1 

Amend Unit 3: Practical Assessment to align with the approach in Unit 7: Scientific Enquiry of the new GCSE The Sciences (Double Award) 

  • Option 2 

A two-stage amendment: Amend Unit 3: Practical Assessment for teaching from September 2026 (as Option 1). Then amend Unit 1 and Unit 2 for teaching from September 2027 to align with the GCSE The Sciences (Double Award) in terms of content, Assessment Objectives and weightings, examination assessment style and removal of Quality of Extended Responses (QER) marks 

  • Option 3 

Amend all units (as per Option 2) together for teaching from September 2027 

  • Option 4  

Do not amend the specifications 

The survey was open between 1st and 17th October 2025 and we would like to thank all respondents for taking the time to share their views. 

We received feedback from 438 respondents from 60% of schools across Wales, including Welsh and English medium, and smaller and larger schools. We are confident that we received a sufficiently representative and large enough response on which to base our decision. 

Alongside the survey, our Qualification Development Team engaged directly with key stakeholders, including science teachers, school senior leaders, and representatives from learned societies. 

Drawing on the feedback gathered, our teams analysed the responses and considered the alignment between GCSE Biology, Chemistry, Physics and GCSE The Sciences (Double Award) in the context of teacher/school workload and how the qualifications support the Curriculum for Wales. We have shared our findings and discussed the risks and implications with Qualifications Wales and the Welsh Government to inform our decisions and next steps. 

The main findings: 

  • Options 1 and 4 were the only options where there was more support than opposition. 

  • Option 1 received the greatest proportion of support from respondents, with nearly two thirds of all responses either supporting or strongly supporting the option. 

  • Options 2 and 3, which involve amendments to all units, were by some distance less popular than Options 1 and 4. 

  • Option 3 had the least support. 

This broadly aligns with views shared with us during our stakeholder engagement activity.  

Our decision 

Based on the findings above, we have decided to implement Option 1. 

This means that: 

  • We will amend Unit 3 (the practical unit) in the current GCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics, but not amend Units 1 and 2.   

  • Unit 3 in Biology, Chemistry and Physics will be amended to be in line with the approach in Unit 7: Scientific Enquiry of the new The Sciences (Double Award) qualification for the assessment of scientific enquiry skills.  

  • This will be available for Year 10 cohorts starting in September 2026. 

  • There will be eight tasks ‘live’ in centres. For the separate science qualifications, centres can choose tasks from The Science (Double Award) or a task set for each of the separate science qualifications. 

    The Sciences (Double Award)  Biology  Chemistry   Physics  Integrated Science (Single Award) 
    3 tasks (candidates complete 2)  1 task or task from The Sciences (Double Award) -candidates complete 1  1 task or task from The Sciences (Double Award) -candidates complete 1  1 task or task from The Sciences (Double Award) -candidates complete 1  2 tasks (candidates complete 1) 


Supporting teachers and learners 

We are committed to supporting teachers and learners throughout this change. An overview of the changes to the existing GCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics will be included in the live online qualification briefing and Q&A on 18th, 19th, 25th and 26th November 2025. 

During the pan-Wales face-to-face Preparing to Teach events for GCSE The Sciences (Double Award) taking place between 9th February and 27th March 2026, there will be a session on the assessment of science enquiry. This session will now also apply to the amended approach to Unit 3 for the current GCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics. 

Prior to the Preparing to Teach events, we will: 

  • Publish amended GCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics specifications  

  • Develop a mapping document which shows whether and where topics in Units 1 and 2 of the current GCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics appear in the new GCSE The Sciences (Double Award), with a summary of key changes of focus; this should be used in conjunction with the comprehensive Guidance to Teaching for the new GCSE The Sciences (Double Award) which will also be published prior to the events 

  • Support teaching and learning through highlighting and clearly labelling the full range of blended learning resources available for both the current GCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics, and the new GCSE The Sciences (Double Award)  

Further support and guidance 

Our subject teams continue to be on-hand to support centres. If you require further information or guidance, please contact us via science@wjec.co.uk  


 

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