A-level Environmental Science: fieldwork changes for 2022 exams
Published: Monday 12 Jul 2021
Ofqual has published the arrangements for non-exam assessment (NEA) and fieldwork for students entering for exams in 2022. Here are the changes to A-level Environmental Science you need to know about for summer 2022:
- there’s no requirement for schools and colleges to make a declaration to exam boards confirming they’ve provided all students with the opportunity to undertake a mandated number of occasions or days of fieldwork activities outside of the school or college premises
- you can continue to provide fieldwork activities (or a mixture of fieldwork and lab-based activities) for your students if you’re able to do so.
Fieldwork is an important feature of A-level Environmental Science and many teachers and subject associations have reinforced the need to learn these essential skills, particularly the ones needed for progression. We’d encourage schools and colleges to engage with fieldwork activities as much as possible. If this isn’t possible, you might consider engaging in the fieldwork enquiry process by virtual means where appropriate, or practising fieldwork skills in the classroom, on school grounds or more locally than you would do normally.
Ofqual is planning a consultation on summer 2022 towards the end of this term. We’ll provide further updates and guidance about the summer 2022 exams as soon as we are able to.
