A-level Philosophy subject update
Autumn 2026
Welcome to our autumn 2026 newsletter
I hope you’ve had a positive start to the new academic year and that the summer break provided an opportunity to rest and recharge.
Thank you for your ongoing dedication to your students and for the important role you play in developing their critical thinking, analytical skills and intellectual curiosity. As always, the AQA team is here to support you with a range of resources, guidance and professional development opportunities designed to help you get the most from your Philosophy teaching.
As the new term gets underway, we’d like to update you on the support and services available from the AQA Philosophy team.
We’re delighted to welcome Netesha Butt to the team as our new Subject Support Manager. Netesha will be working alongside me to provide support for you and your department throughout the year.
If any members of your team would like to receive subject-specific updates, they can easily sign up for AQA subject updates , so they’re always informed and part of our community.
We look forward to working with you over the coming year and continuing to support your delivery of an engaging and challenging Philosophy curriculum.
Best wishes
Jenni King
Subject Lead for Philosophy
Stay up to date with assessment reform
This autumn, the Department for Education (DfE) is expected to launch its subject content consultation, confirming which subjects will be included in phase 1, sharing draft proposals and inviting feedback from teachers, schools and exam boards.
There’s nothing you need to do right now. When the consultation launches, we’ll help you understand what it means for you, what’s changing in phase 1 subjects and how you can have your say.
Help shape the future of digital assessment
We’d like to hear about your experiences of digital teaching, learning and assessment through a short survey.
By sharing your experiences, you’ll help us shape the guidance, resources and support teachers need as digital assessment continues to evolve.
The survey contains 24 questions, takes around 12 minutes to complete and closes on 1 November 2026. As a thank you, participants who complete the survey can enter a prize draw for the chance to win one of four £50 gift vouchers.
Curriculum Connects
Join us for our upcoming Curriculum Connects sessions:
- Exploring Summer 2026: A-level Philosophy – Wednesday 16 September, 4pm–5pm.
Book now and find out more about the examiners report for summer 2026.
- Women in Philosophy: Teaching the Wartime Quarter – Wednesday 4 November, 4pm–5pm Book now
We're also delighted to have this masterclass Curriculum Connect on Women in Philosophy working with Durham and Liverpool Universities, using resources connected with our A-level Philosophy 7172 | Specification | AQA Visit Women in Parenthesis for more information.
Key resources for this term
Make sure you’ve got the materials and guidance to create engaging and effective learning experiences. Whether it’s schemes of work, community links or teaching guides, we’ve got what you need.
- Check out our range of resources on our website where we’ve updated some of the links to support your students’ learning journey.
- Have you got questions about question types? Make sure you download a copy of the Teaching guide: Teaching A-level Philosophy for a full set of useful info about the A-level course.
- Check out the Subject-specific vocabulary for the A-level Philosophy course:
- Epistemology SSV
- Moral philosophy SSV
- Metaphysics of God SSV
- Metaphysics of Mind SSV
To access all our resources, visit the plan, teach and assess tabs on our AQA Philosophy page Resources are also available on our Centre Services secure web page.
Get more with myAQA
myAQA gives you access to everything you need to plan, teach and assess, including our secure extranet – Centre Services. Here you’ll find essential resources, such as the latest past papers, as well as Teacher Online Standardisation (T-OLS) and much more.
Don’t have a myAQA account yet? Complete a short form to get started. Once your Exams Officer has verified your registration, then you’re ready to go.
Free CPD courses and events – Autumn 2026
We have training coming up on A-level Philosophy: Exploring 25-mark questions, Wednesday 25 November 2026. Book your place.
For autumn 2026 we have a range of professional development courses available for Philosophy, where you can complete the training at a time that suits you and your team.
Student Advisory Group recruitment for 2026/27
Help your learners influence the future of exams
We’re looking for learners to join our Student Advisory Group for 2026/27. The group gives young people a direct opportunity to share their experiences and views on qualifications, assessments and the wider exam system. Their insights will help shape the future of the curriculum, qualifications and assessments for young people, as well as our work to offer new vocational qualifications.
If you know any learners who may be interested, please encourage them to apply – we’re looking for students who have taken AQA qualifications, though this is not essential, and they can be sitting general or vocational qualifications.
Applications open: Monday 7 September 2026
Applications close: 5.00pm on Monday 21 September 2026
Thank you for helping us raise awareness of this opportunity among your learners. For more information, visit the Student Advisory Group page on our website.
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) within assessments
JCQ’s AI in assessments: protecting the integrity of qualifications document provides teachers/assessors involved in delivering JCQ qualifications with the information they need to manage the use of AI in assessments. All relevant staff need to be aware of and familiarise themselves with the latest guidance and instructions. If AI misuse is detected or suspected by your school or college, and the declaration of authentication has been signed, the case must be reported.
Free at 3?
We’re delighted to introduce our Free at 3? appointments. If there’s something you’d like to discuss, we’d love to hear from you. Available to drop-in between 3pm–4pm, find a date that suits you.
Book a Free at 3? session with your AQA Philosophy specialist.
Contact us
Whatever your question, our Subject Support team is here to help.
- Email: philosophy@aqa.org.uk
- Call: 0161 957 3881, Monday to Friday, 8am–5pm