Describing outstanding practice in the teaching of science, this report will make for interesting reading for all teachers in that subject area.
Successful science: an evaluation of science education in England 2007-2010
Synopsis
This report draws on the results of visits by inspectors to 94 primary, 94 secondary schools and two special schools between June 2007 and March 2010. If found that there had been a trend towards improvement in the provision of science education over the period of the report, especially in secondary schools, but that some areas still required further improvement, especially in primary schools.
In schools that showed clear improvement in science subjects, more practical science lessons and the development of the skills of scientific enquiry were key factors in promoting pupils’ learning and progress. The curriculum in the best schools, both primary and secondary, engaged pupils’interest and enthusiasm, and promoted good progress in knowledge, understanding and skills in science.
The curriculum was more often outstanding in the secondary schools visited than in the primary schools. This was achieved through collaboration among teachers on planning for science and the effective sharing of good practice: the report identifies outstanding teaching and describes how to move from satisfactory to good or outstanding practice.