OCR 'B' Update

 

OCR B is my favourite GCSE specification. 

I co-wrote a number of textbooks to support people teaching this spec. They are in their 2nd edition currently and available to purchase from a number of places.

Did you hear we're planning an update to our GCSE Geography B qualification? We're improving its manageability, accessibility and relevance to ensure it continues to meet the needs of teachers and students. Read more: https://t.co/tERyYOGXFe
#geographyforall pic.twitter.com/UU0PtbGmwX

— OCR (@ocrexams) April 30, 2024

Details are here. 

GCSE B will feel very familiar for our existing teachers. However, our goal is to create an improved qualification that continues to meet DfE criteria while also being...

✅ More manageable: We’re striving to reduce the amount of content you need to teach so you and your students have more time to enjoy the course, complete fieldwork, and prepare effectively for exams.

✅ Accessible to all: We want all students to have a positive exam experience. We plan to publish a refined list of clearly defined command words for assessment. We’re also reviewing question tariffs, the language used in our papers, and plan to embed resources within exams where appropriate.

✅ Relevant to students’ lives: We're reviewing content to ensure it is up-to-date and empowers students to tackle future challenges. This includes a proposed greater focus on positive climate action, sustainability and green technology.

We’re also working to enhance our fieldwork experience and ensure equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging principles are embedded throughout the qualification.

Plus, whether you're new to OCR or have been teaching with us for a while, you will have comprehensive support from the start – from professional development courses to switching and mapping guides, schemes of work to curriculum planners. We’ll also have support for non-specialist teachers of geography.

Read a blog from Kerry Sage.

A draft specification and other materials are being developed and it is hoped that there will be first teaching of the new specification from September 2025.