BioGrad Education

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

Our programmes have been developed by experienced Science teachers and qualified assessors to fulfil all the requirements of the A-Level Science Practical Endorsement.

All sessions are delivered in small groups, allowing students to receive guidance and support from their assessor while completing their practical work and developing confidence in the laboratory.

Courses are available in the following subjects:

BioGrad Education's laboratories include world-class research facilities, and our Practical Endorsement courses are delivered and assessed by experienced scientists who have received full training from our Curriculum and Assessment Education Director, Catherine Witter.

The programme is designed for students who are ready to complete their A-Level Practical Endorsement. Students are expected to have knowledge of the practical skills, techniques and procedures required by their examination board specification, as the course focuses on assessing their practical competency rather than teaching the syllabus.

Each five-day course enables students to complete a minimum of 12 practical activities, providing multiple opportunities to demonstrate the Common Practical Assessment Criteria (CPAC) routinely and consistently.

Our courses are designed not only to assess these criteria, but also to give students the opportunity to put their existing knowledge and practical skills into practice in a real laboratory environment. Our scientists provide guidance throughout the assessment process and share insights into their current research, helping to make the experience engaging, interesting and relevant.

We are proud that feedback from our students regularly tells us that they are "made to feel welcome and are highly supported" while putting into practice the practical aspects of topics they have previously encountered in their theory lessons.

We can only accept online bookings from students who are registered with an exam centre where they will sit their written examinations and where a working agreement with BioGrad Education is already in place.

Students can view the current list of our consortium exam centres on our consortium centre page.

If your preferred exam centre is not currently listed, please contact us at exams@biograd.co.uk. We can reach out to your preferred exam centre directly and work with them to put a partnership agreement in place, allowing us to send your Practical Endorsement results to them once you have completed the course.

For Exam Centres:

If you are an exam centre and would like to establish a partnership with BioGrad Education, please complete the partnership form below. Once we receive the completed form, a member of our team will be in touch with you regarding the next steps.

If you have any questions about the Practical Endorsement or the exam centre process, please contact our team on 0345 565 1725 and we will be happy to help.

Q. Can I pay in instalments?

A. Yes. BioGrad Education aims to give each student flexibility when paying for their Practical Endorsement course.

• You can reserve your place with a 25% deposit when booking more than 28 days in advance. The remaining balance is due in full 28 days before the course start date.
• You can choose to pay for your course in 6 instalments when booking more than 26 weeks in advance, or 12 instalments when booking more than 54 weeks in advance.

Q. Is accommodation included?

A. Accommodation is not included in the price of the Practical Endorsement course. Depending on the location of your course, BioGrad Education has links with local accommodation providers that may offer discounts when booking directly.

Q. Does the practical work completed on your courses contribute to my overall A-Level Science subject grade?

A. We assess students through a minimum of 12 practical activities against the Common Practical Assessment Criteria (CPAC). If you meet the required standard routinely and consistently, your Pass outcome will be awarded by the exam board you are entered with alongside your overall subject grade.

At least 15% of the marks available across your examination papers will assess practical skills, so the experience and skills you gain with us will also help you to access and answer these questions.

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

A. The centre you are entering with must offer you the opportunity to be assessed against the Common Practical Assessment Criteria (CPAC), as the Practical Endorsement forms part of the A-Level qualification.

We strongly recommend that students do not decline this opportunity, as many university course offers require a Practical Endorsement Pass. However, as a Private Candidate who can only access the Practical Endorsement by paying for it, you may request to be recorded as Not Classified and choose not to complete the practical work course.

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

A. There is no Pass or Fail in the traditional sense. Students will receive a Pass outcome for the Practical Endorsement if they routinely and consistently meet the Common Practical Assessment Criteria (CPAC) by the end of the course.

Students who are unable to meet the required standard will receive a Not Classified outcome.

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

A. BioGrad Education will make every effort to contact you directly or use the emergency contact details provided to attempt to reach you.

If you fail to attend your course, you will be marked as absent and no refund will be given.

Q. Can I move my course date?

A. We understand that unforeseen circumstances may arise that prevent you from attending your original course date.

Provided that the transfer is requested more than 28 days before the course start date, BioGrad Education may be able to transfer your booking for a £50 administration fee.

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

A. BioGrad Education has a strict no-refund policy. This is explained within the Terms and Conditions that you agree to when proceeding with your booking.

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

A. Yes. BioGrad Education is JCQ approved, meaning that all major exam boards, including AQA, OCR, Pearson Edexcel and Eduqas, support BioGrad Education in delivering Practical Endorsement courses.

We 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 is recognised as a practical skills teaching provider and is monitored by the exam boards in the same way as other providers involved in the delivery of A-Level practical work. However, we do 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 one is not required for us to support A-Level Science candidates with the practical requirements of the current specifications.