Practising Science @GCSE

Welcome to the Practising Science programme for students in years 9-11 from Mastery Science. Based on the HPQ and EPQ Qualifications, Practising Science aims to increase the proportion of Combined Science students - currently only 2% - who continue studying science post-16, by offering an alternative pathway to triple science. 

Practising Science reshapes how students engage with science. Instead of mastering topics that they have to learn, students apply their knowledge to conduct real-world science or engineering projects in topics that interest them.

Students complete one or two projects, earning either a Higher Project Qualification (HPQ), equivalent to half a GCSE, or an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), equivalent to half an A Level. 

Practising Science comprises two elements:
1) A teaching element to build competence in scientific practices, and transferable skills such as critical thinking and problem solving, for successful projects and for higher education
2) An enquiry element where students conduct a science investigation, design an engineering project, or research a personal, local or global issue

The Practising Science course will be available to start in September 2025, with a syllabus, scheme of work and curriculum resources for the teaching and project elements. Mastery Science invite schools to take part in a pilot project to measure the impact of the course. Pilot schools will receive comprehensive support for implementing the course:

  • Teaching element- case study resources
  • Enquiry element - ready-to go investigations, design problems and desk-based research leading to Project Qualifications, across a range of themes
  • Professional development  - walkthrough the course, and experience of the projects
Link to YouTube video.  Link to PowerPoint slides.