Dr Mark Fielding
Head of A Levels and GCSEs
PhD in Physics from Durham. Former head of science at a Kent grammar school. Twelve years teaching A Level and GCSE science and maths, seven of them online. Now leads Lift College’s A Level and GCSE pathways for adult and homeschool learners.
Qualifications and credentials
- PhD Physics (Durham University)
- PGCE Secondary Science
- Cambridge International Examiner
Subject specialisms
- A Level sciences and maths
- GCSE resit strategy
- Homeschooling curriculum design
- UCAS applications for adult learners
Guides written by Dr Mark Fielding
- Access to HE Diploma or A Levels: which is better for university?
A full comparison of the Access to HE Diploma and A Levels covering time, age, cost, university acceptance and UCAS points, with a decision tree for three learner types.
decision-guide - Best A Levels to take in the UK: subject combinations guide
Which A Level combinations keep the most university doors open, by career direction, plus which subjects universities most commonly ask for.
a-level - Functional Skills vs GCSE: which should you take?
A full side-by-side comparison of Functional Skills Level 2 and GCSE: study time, cost, exam format, acceptance and who each one suits best.
functional-skills - GCSE grades explained: the full 9-1 to A*-G guide
The complete guide to the 9-1 GCSE grading system: every grade explained, old A*-G equivalents, university entry requirements and how boundaries are set.
gcse - Grade 3 GCSE equivalent: what it means and what to do next
What a grade 3 GCSE converts to under the old letter system, why it falls short of a standard pass, and the retake and Functional Skills routes that keep your options open.
gcse - Grade 4 GCSE equivalent: what it means and what it unlocks
Grade 4 is the GCSE standard pass, equivalent to the old grade C. Here is exactly what it opens up, and what it does not.
gcse - Grade 5 GCSE equivalent: the strong pass explained
Grade 5 is the GCSE strong pass, roughly a high C or low B in old money. Here is when you need a 5 rather than a 4, and what grade 6 adds on top.
gcse - Grade 6 GCSE equivalent: what it means and where it opens doors
What a grade 6 GCSE converts to under the old letter system, how it compares to grades 5 and 7, and the sixth form, apprenticeship and teacher-training doors it opens.
gcse - Grade 7 GCSE equivalent: what an old grade A now looks like
Grade 7 is equivalent to the old grade A. It is the typical benchmark for A Level entry in a subject, and a common Russell Group ask for competitive courses.
gcse - Home education GCSEs and exams: the private candidate guide
How home-educated learners sit GCSEs and IGCSEs as private candidates, from finding an exam centre and comparing GCSE vs IGCSE to costs, timing and Functional Skills alternatives.
homeschooling - Home education law in the UK explained
Section 7 of the Education Act 1996, the "suitable education" test, local authority powers, school attendance orders, and how the law differs across the UK nations.
homeschooling - Home education registration and deregistration: the full process
How to deregister a child from school to home educate in England, including a sample letter template, special school exceptions, timelines and what the local authority does next.
homeschooling - How many marks is a grade 4 in GCSE Maths?
Raw mark boundaries for a grade 4 in GCSE Maths, Foundation and Higher tier, with recent AQA and Edexcel data and why the mark needed changes every year.
gcse - How to get free GCSE maths and English as an adult
Why most "free maths and English" funding is actually Functional Skills Level 2 rather than GCSE, when funded GCSE retakes are genuinely available, and what a paid route costs.
gcse - How to homeschool in the UK: a complete step-by-step guide
The legal steps, deregistration process, curriculum choices, exam options and cost planning for starting elective home education in the UK.
homeschooling - How to retake GCSE Maths and English as an adult
A practical, step-by-step guide to retaking GCSE Maths and English, or choosing Functional Skills Level 2 instead, as an adult private candidate in the UK.
gcse - Is Functional Skills Level 2 equivalent to GCSE?
Functional Skills Level 2 is government-recognised as equivalent to a GCSE grade 4 for most purposes. Here is exactly where it counts, and where GCSE is still preferred.
functional-skills