What is Lead Teacher training for the Practical Endorsement?

What is Lead Teacher training for the Practical Endorsement?

Centres are required to have a Lead Teacher for each A Level Science (i.e. Biology, Chemistry, Geology and Physics) that they offer. The Lead Teacher is required to complete the mandatory exam board Lead Teacher training and to cascade this down to the other Teachers of that science to ensure that all Teachers are applying the national standard in the Practical Endorsement.

In preparation for and during a monitoring visit the Lead Teacher is the main point of contact at the school.

Should the Lead Teacher be a senior member of staff? 

The term Lead Teacher only relates to their role in delivering standardisation training within the centre and acting as point of contact at the centre for monitoring visits. There is no regulatory requirement for them to be a Senior Science Teacher, and centres are free to allocate this role to any appropriate Teacher of Science.

Do I need to renew my Lead Teacher certificate every year?

No, while it may be desirable to refresh your familiarity with the contents of the online training, your certificate will be valid for the lifetime of the specification. 

Has the Lead Teacher training been updated?

Yes, we last reviewed the training in September 2025 using a new platform. New Lead Teachers should use this training. Teachers who used the old platform do not need to repeat their training but are welcome to do so if they would benefit from a refresher. The updated training includes updates and clarifications based on feedback from centres.

Can my colleagues who are not Lead Teachers complete the training? 

Yes, if your other colleagues would like to complete the training as part of their CPD or to have a better understanding of the Practical Endorsement then they are welcome to do so.

How long does it take to complete the online training on Cambridge OCR Moodle? 

We estimate that it will take between 50 to 70 minutes to complete the online training.

I am the Lead Teacher for all three sciences, does that mean I have to complete the new training three times? 

Modules 1 to 4 must be completed for each subject in the new Lead Teacher training in order to generate the certificate. This includes the common content to each subject area. 

I have registered for my Cambridge OCR Moodle login but have not received anything back? 

Once you have registered for the Practical Endorsement online training then you have to wait up to 30 minutes before you get an email with your login details. Check your spam filter or school server security settings; the confirmation emails are automatically generated by Moodle, and it may be that your email server is holding it back. If you still have not received confirmation after 24 hours, then please email: science@ocr.org.uk.

 I am using my Cambridge OCR username and password and I still cannot log in? 

The Cambridge OCR Moodle requires its own username and password. You will need to register for a new username and password here. Scroll down the page and you will see towards the right-hand side instructions for creating a new account. Click the button create new account to continue.

What if I have forgotten my login for the Cambridge OCR Moodle? 

If you just click on 'Forgotten your username or password' and follow the instructions that follow you should be able to reset your username or password. Please note that the username is not an email. If the problem continues then please email science@ocr.org.uk.

What happens if I do not complete the training the first time that I log in? 

You can complete the training over a number of days or in short intervals. The training system will remember the module you completed and start you from where you left off.

I have completed the Lead Teacher training for another exam board. Am I required to do it again for Cambridge OCR?

Yes, you are required by the regulator to complete the Lead Teacher training for the exam board that you are currently using. The core content of the course is common to all four exam boards, and the standard required for a Pass is a national standard. However, each board takes a different approach to the flexibility that centres have to use different practical activities and other details such as the specifics of record-keeping.