BioGrad Education

BioGrad Education offers a unique set of laboratory-based A-Level Science Practical Endorsement courses that support all the requirements of the Biology, Chemistry and Physics practical work for AQA, Eduqas, Pearson Edexcel and OCR specifications.

The programmes have been developed by Science teachers and qualified assessors, to fulfil all the criteria of the A-Level Science Practical Endorsement.

All sessions are taught in small group sizes, so that students have the opportunity to spend quality time with their teachers to develop their confidence in the laboratory.

Courses are available for the below subjects:

Biology Chemistry Physics

BioGrad Education laboratories include world-class research facilities and our courses are taught and assessed by experienced scientists, who have had full training by our Curriculum and Assessment Education Director, Catherine Witter. The programme is designed for students who want to develop real laboratory skills, particularly those that wish to improve their handling of specific apparatus and techniques listed in the examination board specifications.

Each five-day course will enable students to experience a minimum of 12 practical activities, providing numerous opportunities for them to meet the Common Practical Assessment Criteria (CPAC) routinely and consistently. The courses are designed not only for the assessment of these criteria, but also to make sure that students enjoy their practical work. Our scientists will always work hard to engage students by talking about their current cutting-edge research, as it’s exciting to learn new things and to be able to apply them to a number of different contexts. We are very proud to say that our feedback from students always includes that they are 'made to feel welcome and are highly supported as they explore the practical aspects of topics they have only met in a theory lesson so far’.

We can only accept online bookings from students at exam centres, where they will be sitting their written examinations, that have a working agreement in place with BioGrad Education. Students can check the current list of consortium exam centres on the consortium centre page.If your centre is not listed please contact us at exams@biograd.co.uk.

If you would like any further information, please do not hesitate to contact BioGrad Examination Centre at Liverpool Science Park Limited on 0345 565 1725 where a member of the team will be happy to help.

Exam Centre Application Form Terms and Conditions

Q. Can I pay in instalments?

A. Yes! Biograd Education would like to ensure each student has the flexibility to pay for a Practical Endorsement course. We offer 2 options:

• Pay 25% deposit on the date of booking. Then you do not have to pay anything until 28 days before the course at which point the balance is due in full.
• Instalments through PayPal. PayPal offer a 6-month instalment plan or a 3-month instalment plan.

Q. Is accommodation included?

A. Accommodation is not included in the price of the Practical Endorsement course. Depending on the location of your endorsement course BioGrad Education offer links with local accommodation providers for a discount for you to book direct.

Q. Does the practical work that you teach on your courses contribute to my overall A-level science subject grade?

A. We assess you through a minimum of 12 practicals against the Common Practical Assessment Criteria (CPAC) and, if you meet the standard routinely and consistently, your Pass outcome will be awarded to you by the exam board that you enter with, alongside your overall subject grade. At least 15% of all the marks on your examination papers will assess practical skills so the experience you have with us will also help you to access those questions.

Q. Do I have to do a Practical Endorsement course?

A. The centre that you are entering with has to offer you the opportunity to be assessed against the Common Practical Assessment Criteria (CPAC) as the Practical Endorsement is part of the entry requirement. We strongly recommend that you do not decline this opportunity as many university course offers will require the Practical Endorsement Pass but as a Private Candidate, who can only access this by paying for it, you can request to be Not Classified and not to do the practical work course.

Q. What happens if I fail the Practical Endorsement course?

A. There is no such thing as a fail. Students will have a Pass outcome for the Practical Endorsement if they consistently and routinely meet the Common Practical Assessment Criteria (CPAC) by the end of the course. They will be given a Not Classified if they are unable to meet the standard.

Q. What happens if I do not attend my course?

A. BioGrad Education will make every effort to contact you directly or use other emergency contact details provided to us to attempt to reach you. If you fail to turn up, you will be marked as absent, and no refund will be given.

Q. Can I move my course date?

A. Understandably, unforeseeable circumstances may occur that prevents you from committing to your original course date. As long as transfers are made more than 28 days before the course commences, BioGrad can offer this for a small administration fee of £50.

Q. I no longer wish to attend my course. Can I get a refund?

A. BioGrad Education has a strict policy of no refunds. This is explained in the terms and conditions you agree to when proceeding to book.

Q. My exam board is OCR. Can I complete a Practical Endorsement course at BioGrad Education?

A. Yes ! BioGrad Education is JCQ approved meaning all major exam boards including: AQA, OCR, Pearson Edexcel and Eduqas support BioGrad Education to teach Practical Endorsement courses and work in a consortium arrangement with partner exam centres where candidates sit their written examinations.

Q. Do you have a centre number?

A. BioGrad Education does not have a Centre Number as we are not an exam centre. BioGrad Education, recognised as a practical skills teaching expert and monitored by the exam boards as any other routine exam centre, does not currently have the facilities for candidates to sit their written examination papers. For this reason, we have chosen not to apply for a Centre Number as we do not require one to support A-level Science candidates for entry to the current specifications.