Most of the support we provide will be available on your subject microsite. The site contains: the latest version of the specification; Chief Examiner reports, exemplar papers and mark schemes; exemplification of standards (after the first examination series); subject-specific support materials; and customised student guides for each specification that reflect the needs of learners and were developed in consultation with them.

Future Support

In addition to the support for the recently revised GCSE specifications we are always working to improve resources for you and your learners. In 2010, we plan to further enhance our support package with the following materials and increased use of technology:

A2 Exemplifying Examination Performance

This is for A2 units sat in summer 2010 and will consist of live candidate responses and commentaries from senior examiners. Events will take place in November 2010, and material will be available to download from March 2011.

Web-Based Interactive Lessons

We would also like to work with you to develop our overall support package. If you deliver any web-based interactive lessons, we’d be delighted if you would share them with us. Shared lessons will be added to our website from November 2010 to assist teachers in the delivery of the specifications.

Mapped Textbooks

On your subject microsite is a list of commonly used textbooks that we’ve cross-referenced to the requirements of the specification. If there are other textbooks that you use, please let us know and we will map them to the relevant specification for you.

Podcasts

We have developed podcasts to help further enrich students’ learning experiences. These are really easy to use and are available via your subject microsite NOW!

These podcasts, written by Chief Examiners, give essential information on how to improve examination technique and performance.

More podcasts are currently being recorded by top achieving candidates to give tips for success at AS level. These will be available soon via your subject microsite.

iPod Competition Winner

Luke Bonner from Down High School was the lucky winner of the iPod touch competition in our last issue of Spec Changes.

Luke told us, “The Podcasts are a really fun way to learn. They’re really easy to use and it doesn’t even feel like you’re studying! I’ve used my new iPod touch loads, both for school stuff and for fun.”

Luke’s teacher, Mr Gray, told us, “I’ve picked up the last few issues of the Spec Changes newsletter and have found it a really useful way of keeping up-to-date with all changes to the specifications. When I noticed the iPod competition in the last issue, I thought it was a great opportunity to get my class involved in online learning. The podcasts are a really engaging way for students to cover lots of new and useful material.”