BBC NI and CCEA launch GCSE past papers on BBC Bitesize for Northern Ireland pupils

BBC Northern Ireland and the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations & Assessment (CCEA) have teamed up to give pupils across Northern Ireland easier access to GCSE past papers through BBC Bitesize — marking a significant step forward in digital learning support.

From Tuesday 2 December, GCSE learners can access past papers and mark schemes for six major subjects directly through BBC Bitesize.

This is the first time that GCSE past papers have been made available via the platform in Northern Ireland, making it the second UK nation to benefit from the rollout, following England.

The initial release includes English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, and the three single sciences: Biology, Chemistry and Physics. More subjects will be added over the coming months, reflecting the existing support already offered by Bitesize for AQA, Edexcel and OCR across the UK.

Each BBC Bitesize past paper page provides direct links to CCEA past papers and mark schemes aligned to the specification, alongside revision guidance and exam tips from experienced subject specialists — offering a comprehensive, centralised hub for exam preparation.

To access the new resources, pupils simply visit bbc.co.uk/bitesize and search for terms such as “CCEA GCSE Biology” or “CCEA GCSE Maths”, where links to the papers appear at the top of each relevant subject page.

In addition to past papers, students can also explore the full breadth of BBC Bitesize revision materials to reinforce learning and focus on areas for improvement both before and after tackling practice papers.

‘A shared commitment to support GCSE learners’

Nicola Alexander, Executive Editor of Factual & Education at BBC NI, highlighted the value of the partnership:

“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.”

CCEA Chief Executive Gerry Campbell said the collaboration enhances accessibility to essential revision tools:

“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.”

Teachers have also welcomed the development.

Dr Jonathan Huddleston, Head of Chemistry at Loreto College 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, added:

“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.”

Supporting the next generation of learners

The past papers available through BBC Bitesize will cover the last three examination years, from summer 2023 onwards, and can be viewed, downloaded, or printed via CCEA-hosted PDFs.

BBC Bitesize — a free learning platform in use for over 25 years — supports pupils aged four to 16 across a wide range of subjects, while also covering wellbeing and careers advice. All content is written by teachers and subject experts and tailored to match the curriculum requirements in each UK nation, including Northern Ireland.

CCEA continues to play a key role in supporting teaching, learning and assessment across Northern Ireland, offering a broad range of qualifications and resources designed to help every learner reach their full potential.