During the GCSE Astronomy (new format) starting this year, there is the requirement of students to undertake observations, both visual and non visual.

Just to clarify these observations have NO weight towards the final exam grade, they are not assessed or marked (or sent to the exam board). However their will be questions asked about the observations, so if they are asked about for example, how does the Milky Way look through a telescope, the student will be expected to answer questions on this. So if they have not carried out this or similar tasks, again they will struggle in answering.

It is about encouraging the student to observe the night (or daytime) sky.