Retaining knowledge from practicals

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Research shows how a novel pedagogy aids the retention of learning over time

Under the current GCSE system, there is no direct assessment of students’ practical skill. Instead, practical skills are assessed indirectly by allocating of 15% of the marks on written exams to questions based on those specified practicals. With exams taking place at the end of year 11, approaches that help students retain knowledge and understanding of practical work they undertook perhaps a year or more previously are highly desirable.

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