GCSE Science Practical Courses
With renowned expertise, Greene’s College Oxford offers science practical courses for GCSEs
GCSE Science Practicals at Greene's
During our GCSE practical course, you will master essential laboratory skills, develop your understanding of theoretical content, and prepare yourself for practical-based questions for the exam. Our experienced tutors will be on hand to answer your questions, guide your learning, and ensure you feel confident working in a scientific laboratory. We endeavour to cater to all kinds of learning needs, so please feel confident talking to us if you have any physical, learning, or sensory needs: it is important to us that you are in the best learning environment we can achieve.
Our GCSE practical science courses are offered in Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Geography. For each science, there are 8 practical experiments, which may be completed across two days during October half term, or in four half day sessions during Hilary term.
Unsure whether you are ready for the GCSE science practicals? Take one of our quizzes to find out.
This bespoke, hands-on course, which caters for different learning styles and is taught by experienced Greene’s tutors, enables students to understand the science practicals, preparing them for GCSE study and beyond.
Our intensive GCSE science practical courses usually run on two consecutive days during the October and February half-terms. Find our term dates here.
Weekly classes run regularly during our Hilary Term each year. There are four sessions per science.
As with all programmes at Greene’s, science practicals can be timed according to your needs. If in doubt speak to our friendly exams team to find out more.
COURSE BENEFITS
With a Greene’s GCSE science practical course, you will:
- Develop key practical skills and understanding;
- Receive and use bespoke revision resources for GCSE examinations;
- Learn how to effectively approach written examination questions on science practicals.
Fees and Registration Deadlines
| Summary description | Start date | Fee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intensive GCSE practical preparation course | Pre-course preparation and assessment followed by eight laboratory sessions over two days (Physics) or four half-days (Biology and Chemistry), held consecutively during Hilary Term. Fee is per subject. | Contact the Exams Office at examsofficer@greenes.org.uk | £1,500 (per subject) |
To join the 2026 intensive or weekly GCSE science practical courses please contact the Exams Office.
The course pricing (JCQ GCSE science practical course) is inclusive of examination fees per chosen subject i.e. if you choose to take the Physics Science Practicals with us, you will not need to pay again for the associated non-practical GCSE papers.
After this date, late entry may be possible at the discretion of Greene’s. Additional late entry fees may apply and your chances of successfully completing the may be affected by the limited preparation time. Course fees do not include examination entry fees. We hope our FAQ section will answer most of your questions about science practicals at Greene’s; for any other questions please contact examsofficer@greenes.org.uk.
The above fees currently do not include VAT. All listed fees are subject to additional VAT costs.
Benefits of practical work
Undertaking practical work gives you important transferable skills
- Observation;
- Analysing results;
- Evaluating your own work and that of others;
- Testing out theories and ideas which you have developed;
- Developing problem solving strategies;
- Communicating ideas and results;
- Developing confidence to learn independently and to question information;
- Understanding the correct use of laboratory equipment for scientific investigation
In addition, gov.uk have demonstrated that performing practical work directly correlates with improved exam performance.
Science Practical Structure & Quizzes
Contents of the practical work
The Biology experiments include
- Chemical tests for food macronutrients;
- Testing your own reaction times;
- Using a microscope to examine plant and animal cells;
- Fieldwork to estimate the population size of a plant species;
- Exploring photosynthesis and respiration, and using a CO2 monitor;
- Measuring osmosis in plant tissues in different solutions;
- Working with microbial cultures in sterile conditions;
- Investigating factors that affect the rate of enzyme reactions
Test your knowledge with our quizzes to understand whether this course is right for you:
These questions can:
- a) Help reveal gaps in your knowledge that you need to cover before the course (the course does not teach theoretical topics. You need to have studied any relevant the chapters/topics before coming for the course).
- b) Improve/refresh your understanding of concepts important for the practical endorsement.
- c) Give you a better idea of the difficulty of the course.
Biology Practical 1: Food tests
Biology Practical 2: Reaction times
Biology Practical 3: Microscopy
Biology Practical 4: Fieldwork
Biology Practical 5: Photosynthesis and respiration
Biology Practical 7: Microbial cultures
The Chemistry experiments include
- Gas tests, flame tests, and precipitation reactions to identify ions;
- Electrolyses;
- Separating mixtures using three laboratory techniques;
- Investigating the effect of temperature on rate of reaction;
- Preparing a salt;
- Predicting and measuring the temperature change of binary reactions;
- Performing titrations;
- Determining the heat content of alcohols via calorimetry.
Test your knowledge with our quizzes to understand whether this course is right for you:
These questions can:
- a) Help reveal gaps in your knowledge that you need to cover before the course (the course does not teach theoretical topics. You need to have studied any relevant the chapters/topics before coming for the course).
- b) Improve/refresh your understanding of concepts important for the practical endorsement.
- c) Give you a better idea of the difficulty of the course.
Chemistry Practical 1: Identifying ions
Chemistry Practical 2: Electrolysis
Chemistry Practical 3: Separating mixtures
Chemistry Practical 4: Rates of reaction
Chemistry Practical 5: Making a salt
Chemistry Practical 6: Endo or exothermic?
Chemistry Practical 7: Titration
Chemistry Practical 8: Heat content
The Physics experiments include
- Investigating the density of different materials;
- Testing the extension of a spring;
- Exploring the relationship between acceleration and mass or incline;
- Calculating the properties of waves in a ripple tank or on a string;
- Reflecting and refracting light;
- Using a Leslie Cube and measuring heat radiation;
- Determining specific heat capacities of materials using a circuit;
- Testing how current and voltage vary across circuits in series or parallel.
Test your knowledge with our quizzes to understand whether this course is right for you:
These questions can:
- a) Help reveal gaps in your knowledge that you need to cover before the course (the course does not teach theoretical topics. You need to have studied any relevant the chapters/topics before coming for the course).
- b) Improve/refresh your understanding of concepts important for the practical endorsement.
- c) Give you a better idea of the difficulty of the course.
Physics Practical 1: Materials
Physics Practical 3: Acceleration
Physics Practical 6: Radiation
Practical Course feedback
100% reported that the small group working experience was supportive and productive.
100% of students felt that the course enabled them to develop their abilities as an independent
learner.
91% would recommend Greene’s to another student.
100% of students felt that they were provided with sufficient guidance across assessment, theory, and practical activity.
90% of students felt they learnt to perform independent laboratory work safely and competently.
73% felt they could also perform it confidently.
