ASE 2027 Annual Conference

This CPD session supports science teachers in strengthening the connection between practical work and exam success in A-level Biology. While practical experiences are central to the subject, students often struggle to translate hands-on understanding into high-quality written responses in assessments.

This session explores how practical skills, knowledge, and exam technique intersect, helping teachers bridge the gap between classroom practice and examination performance. By focusing on how practical work is assessed, teachers will be equipped to maximise the impact of practical activities on student outcomes.

Session Outcomes:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Identify how practical skills and knowledge are assessed in A-Level Biology examinations.
Recognise common weaknesses in how students apply practical understanding in written responses.
Apply strategies to better integrate required practical work with exam preparation and assessment success.

The session will explore the relationship between practical work, CPAC and exam performance, using real A-Level Biology questions and mark schemes to highlight key demands. Teachers will engage in activities to analyse how practical knowledge and skills are examined, review student responses, and identify where marks are gained and lost. Through discussion and practical strategies, participants will develop approaches to ensure that practical experiences translate into confident, accurate, and successful exam performance.

Our dedicated Chair Trio invite you to drop-in to the “Chair-Chat” sessions on one of the days of Annual Conference 2027. The Chair is a vital role to the ASE, and the elected Chair provides an authoritative voice for the thousands of members that the ASE supports, along with those working within the wider science education community. Those elected remain part of our Chair Trio for 3 years.

Got a question? Ever wondered about what goes on behind the scenes? Ever thought about getting involved in Committee activities? Are you wanting to know more about Professional Registration or writing an article in one of the ASE journals? First time attending our flagship Conference?

If this is your first ASE Conference, then please come along and say Hello.

We look forward to hearing your questions and will endeavour to answer them or point you in a selection of possible right directions!

This CPD session supports chemistry teachers in strengthening the link between practical work and examination success in A-Level Chemistry. Although practical activities are a fundamental part of the subject, students often find it challenging to convert their experimental experience into precise, high-quality written answers.

This session examines how practical understanding, subject knowledge, and exam technique work together, enabling teachers to better connect classroom investigations with assessment performance. By focusing on the ways practical work is examined, teachers will be able to enhance the impact of practical teaching on student outcomes.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
> Identify how practical knowledge and skills are assessed within A-Level Chemistry examinations.
> Recognise common issues in the way students interpret and apply practical understanding in written responses.
> Apply strategies to more effectively link required practical work with exam preparation and student success.

The session will explore the relationship between practical work, CPAC requirements, and exam performance, using authentic A-Level Chemistry questions and mark schemes to highlight key expectations. Teachers will take part in activities to examine how practical skills and concepts are assessed, analyse student responses, and pinpoint where marks are achieved or missed. Through reflection, discussion, and practical strategies, participants will develop approaches to ensure that practical experiences are translated into accurate, confident, and successful examination performance.

Science education is entering a pivotal period of change. This interactive, evidence-informed session will explore how reform can translate ambitious national intent into qualifications, assessment and classroom practice that work for teachers and learners. Drawing on Pearson’s engagement with teachers, science leaders, students and subject communities, the session will consider  what successful reform should achieve , what different stages of science reform could mean for subject leaders, teachers and students, and what schools will need to implement changes successfully.
Session aims

• Make science reform tangible and relevant for classroom practitioners and leaders.
• Surface practitioner priorities, risks and implementation need so that teacher and learner experience informs future qualification thinking.
• Build confidence by identifying proportionate preparation schools can undertake while policy and qualification details continue to develop.

Delegate takeaways

• A phased school-readiness checklist.
• Practical actions departments can begin without overcommitting.
• A sharper understanding of potential implications for learners, teachers and departmental delivery.
• Questions and discussion prompts to use with departments, senior leaders and trust teams.

This session is followed by a catered lunch, sponsored by Pearson, for secondary educators and early career teachers or trainees. Please join us to continue the networking opportunity and further explore how Pearson can support you.

The session will follow our own involvement in understanding accessibility and improvements in accessibility in formal assessments for Cambridge OCR.

During 2026 Mike Jackson was on a panel for SecEd to speak about accessibility which builds on conversations within the organisation as well as learning from teachers who have fed back from both summative assessments and practical endorsement adaptations (e.g. for blind students).