Teachers contribute to new A Level support from OCRTuesday 13 May 2008

Almost 50 teachers from across the UK worked with OCR to help develop new A Level support materials.

This is the first time an awarding body has actively involved current teachers in developing schemes of work and lesson plans, designed to be 'by teachers, for teachers'.

The input from 46 teachers brings a fresh and current approach to the new support materials, which accompany the brand new A Level specifications ahead of first teaching in September 2008.

"it's great that OCR is working with teachers like me to make sure that their A Level support reflects what's really needed in the classroom."

Jason Mazzocchi, Media Studies teacher, Acland Burghley School

Helen Reed, Support Development Manager at OCR, said: "We've already had excellent feedback from teachers who have started using our schemes of work, and that's testimony to all the hard work that's gone into developing them."

"Teachers were chosen for their experience and dedication to the subject, as we wanted to work with the type of people colleagues would turn to for advice."

The schemes of work contain topic outlines, suggested teaching and homework activities, suggested resources and points to note. They are available to download for free from the OCR website. Please view the Support Materials page to choose your qualification.

Jason Mazzocchi, a media studies teacher at Acland Burghley School in Camden, North London, said: "It has been really interesting developing the schemes of work, and it's great that OCR is working with teachers like me to make sure that their A Level support reflects what's really needed in the classroom. It's nice to think that teachers across the country could benefit from my work. It has been a lot of effort, but this is a very worthwhile project and I'm pleased to have been involved."

Margaret Olive, assistant headteacher at Ringwood School in Hampshire, said: "As a history teacher for 30 years now with less time as an assistant headteacher with other responsibilities, I have to say this is the most help and support materials I have ever received from an exam board. What OCR has produced is of such a high quality that it has saved me hours of preparation time affording me the opportunity to resource the unit and to tweak rather than start from scratch."