SNAB post-2008
Edexcel plans for 2008
Edexcel our awarding body are offering a single advanced biology specification for teaching starting in September 2008, merging their two existing specs. (Edexcel are also offering just one specification for each of advanced chemistry and advanced physics.)
The SNAB development is central to the new Edexcel biology specification. Some rearrangement of the content is necessary to fit with the new QCA criteria, but it will be delivered through the interesting and topical SNAB contexts.
More about how this will work: Two routes through one specification
Edexcel training events See Edexcel training
Resources Scroll down this page for information about the new resources, to be published by Edexcel themselves and distributed by Pearson.
Edexcel Biology specification for 2008
The new Edexcel Biology specification has been fully accredited by QCA.
This specification can be taught using a 'context-led' approach via the Salters-Nuffield Advanced Biology (SNAB) course. Download the specification from the Edexcel website:
Edexcel biology specification for 2008
Nicola Wilberforce Here is Edexcel's web guide to the new specification, the e-spec, the assessment framework, and help and guidance available.
Edexcel e-spec web guide
To see a video of Nicola Wilberforce of Esher College talking about the new course, go to the 'Getting started' tab at the top of the Edexcel e-spec webpage. Bottom right on the 'Getting started' intro page are two 'film' icons - and the top one is Nicola.
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2008 materials, to be published by Edexcel
The SNAB materials for the new GCE Biology specification are published by Edexcel themselves. Available from March 2008, the materials include:
. AS and A2 Students' books (price £19.50 each)
. AS and A2 ActiveBook site licence CD-ROM, allowing you to link a digital version of the Students' books straight to the e-Spec (price £100.00+vat each)
. SNAB Online AS and A2: 2-year student subscriptions (£20 each or £100 for a pack of 10. Discounts available for large centres).
Edexcel's resources are distributed by Pearson Education.
For an evaluation pack (ISBN 978 1 40587 772 5, price £19.50),
call 0800 579 579 or email customer.orders@pearson.com.
Visit http://www.edexcel.com/gce2008/biology/ for more information about the specification and the resources (see the Resources tab at the top of the page).
See also September 2008 resources
Current (2005) materials published by Heinemann
Heinemann tell us that their publications will remain in print (and online) until the last retakes of the current AS and A2 specifications.
Order/Inspection Dept, Heinemann Educational, FREEPOST (OF 1771), PO Box 381 Oxford OX2 8BR.
tel 01865 888080 fax 01865 314029
orders@heinemann.co.uk. SNAB from Heinemann
QCA criteria for 2008
Why these changes are happening:
There are new QCA subject criteria for GCE AS/A2 science subjects for first teaching from September 2008. Therefore all specifications have been revised. QCA has broadly three aims:
* to reduce the burden of assessment
* to raise the profile of 'How science works' following on from GCSE Science
* to modernise specifications with more contemporary contexts.
The 2008 Edexcel Biology specification has been accredited by QCA.
SNAB and QCA
SNAB was well-prepared to adapt to these new criteria. SNAB teachers are already familiar with the how science works statements in the present specification. SNAB has benefited from research and development, bringing innovation into the biology curriculum at this level - SNAB is already up-to-date and ready to inspire young biologists of the 21st century.
Keep in touch
News of the new Edexcel specification for teaching from 2008 will be posted on this website as it develops. The development team includes people from both the SNAB and Edexcel specifications.
Sign up for emailed news flashes from this website if you haven't already done so. See the line immediately under the introduction at the top of the SNAB home page. SNAB home page
Are you on the SNAB project database to receive paper mailings? Sign up here SNAB newsletter sign-up
