BBC Bitesize, in collaboration with CCEA (Council for the Curriculum, Examinations & Assessment), will publish GCSE past papers in six key subjects for revision purposes, starting Tuesday 2 December.

This marks the first time GCSE past papers have been made available via BBC Bitesize in Northern Ireland; the second nation in the UK to provide papers following on from a rollout in England.

The initial release includes English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, and the three single sciences – Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Additional subjects will be introduced in the coming months. These are popular GCSE subject choices, mirroring the support offered by BBC Bitesize for the AQA, Edexcel, and OCR boards across the UK.

Alongside direct links to CCEA past papers and mark schemes that align with CCEA subject specifications, each BBC Bitesize past paper page also features revision and exam tips from experienced subject specialists, providing a central source of information and guidance for students preparing for exams.

To access these resources, visit bbc.co.uk/bitesize and search for ‘CCEA GCSE Biology’, ‘CCEA GCSE Maths’ etc. Links to the past papers can be found at the top of each subject page.

As well as CCEA past papers and mark schemes, students will also find links to existing Bitesize resources, helping them focus on areas for improvement before or after attempting the past papers.

Nicola Alexander, Executive Editor, Factual & Education, BBC NI says: “By combining trusted CCEA past papers with expert revision and exam tips, along with the other extensive learning materials on BBC Bitesize, we aim to give learners the tools they need to do their best in their exams. We welcome this important collaboration with CCEA which reflects our shared commitment to support GCSE learners, and hope these materials make a real difference in exam preparation.”

Gerry Campbell, CCEA Chief Executive, says, “CCEA is delighted to collaborate with BBC Bitesize to make our GCSE past papers more accessible to learners across Northern Ireland. Past papers are a vital tool for learning and examination preparation, and increasing access to these resources reflects CCEA’s commitment to supporting high-quality learning, building student confidence, and deepening their understanding across subjects. We look forward to expanding the range of subjects available in the months ahead.”

Dr Jonathan Huddleston, Head of Chemistry at Loreto College in Coleraine, said, “I very much welcome the collaboration between CCEA and the BBC Bitesize platform. The website is an accessible platform which students can use to support their learning as part of their study of science other subjects. The material is presented in a concise way and is directly linked to the relevant specification content. I highly recommend the use of BBC Bitesize as part of student independent learning and preparation for their GCSE examinations.”

Helen Dowds, Senior Manager for Learning and Teaching at Hunterhouse College, Belfast, said, “I am delighted to see BBC Bitesize working together with our local exam board, CCEA, to promote high-quality resources that provide valuable support for our students. This collaboration ensures that learners have access to trusted, relevant materials that align with their curriculum and help them succeed.”

Past papers will cover the last three exam years (from summer 2023 onwards) and can be viewed, downloaded, or printed via CCEA-hosted PDFs.

BBC Bitesize is a free online learning platform that has been supporting students with learning, revision and homework for more than 25 years. It offers support for those aged four to 16 across a diverse range of school subjects, while also addressing the wellbeing and career development of young people. There are no barriers to entry, it is a free resource specially tailored to the needs of pupils in each nation of the UK.

Bitesize guides are written by teachers and subject experts and are mapped to follow the curricula of the UK. GCSE subjects on Bitesize follow specifications for the main exam boards in the UK, including CCEA, ensuring students in every area of the UK are well served. BBC Bitesize content is widely used in classrooms across Northern Ireland – a trusted resource of both students and teachers.

CCEA (the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment) provides qualifications, assessment, and supports the delivery of the Northern Ireland Curriculum. Its mission is to enable the full potential of every learner to be achieved and recognised. CCEA offers a diverse range of qualifications (GCSEs, A/AS Levels, Entry Level Qualifications and Vocational Qualifications) and provides a wealth of resources and materials to support the teaching, learning and attainment of these.

MD

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