Pilot school application

Mastery Science and Pearson invite schools to join the pilot project. In return for participating in our impact research on whether the course increases uptake of post-16 science, your school will get free professional development and resources.

Who can apply

To be part of the pilot your school just to meets the requirement of our impact research. This means:

  • being a state secondary school or similar institution in England
  • delivering the full course and its teaching and project components
  • participating in the professional development sessions
  • providing the data for the research. 

Unfortunately, independent schools and schools based outside England are not eligible. However, you can still launch the course and benefit from all the support we provide (free and paid).  >> Launch your course 

Your involvement

Your school will need to agree to:

  • Run the Practising Science course over two years
  • Provide approximately the recommended number of guided learning hours
  • Provide data for the students taking the Practising Science course, and other Combined Science students

At start of the course:

  • Give students a provided baseline survey
  • Send data on students' science attainment (e.g year 9 science exam)

During the course (if selected for sampling):

  • Allow a visit from our team, a teacher questionnaire and interview
  • Give students a follow-up survey and/or enable a focus group

After the course:

  • Send data on students’ post-16 subject choices and mock exam grades

Our research partner will carry out an ethical review and provide consent forms for teachers, students, and parents.

Timetable
The pilot project is divided into phases:

  • Nov-Dec 2024 Join pilot project
  • Jan-Mar 2025: Recruit a GCSE set for the course
  • Apr-Jul 2025: Prepare for the course
  • Aug 2025-Jul 2026: First year of the course

Ready to apply?

The application process is in two stages. Apply now to be shortlisted, and then your school management can sign a formal agreement in January.

Please complete the application form by Friday December 13th.
If you need more time, contact us