Annette SmithChief Executive, Association for Science

Education

All change or as you were – will a new curriculum revolutionise science

education?

Annette SmithChief Executive, Association for Science

Education

The science education community will soon see the first drafts of the new National Curriculum for science.  Will this change the way we teach in England – and what is the experience from other corners of the UK?  This seminar will look at the up-to-the-minute developments in the political world of education and put them in the context of what teachers are actually experiencing in schools.  Alongside this, as 2011 has been a significant year for ASE’s involvement in practical and outdoor science education I will discuss useful ways that BESA members and ASE can take these positive developments forward.

Annette SmithChief Executive

Some of the consultations, responses and initiatives that we’ve been keeping track of• The Importance of teaching – schools’ white paper – a

year old today!• New Teachers’ standards (following Sally Coates’

review) Wolf Review of Vocational Education and Government response

• Early Years and Foundation Stage report and consultation

• HOC Education Select Committee inquiry on Attracting, training and retaining the best teachers, consultation and implementation plan

• Call for Evidence on the English Baccalaureate• Review of KS2 testingThe list goes on…..  

Annette SmithChief Executive

Specialist teachers in primary schools…

Practical and outdoor science…..

Annette SmithChief Executive

… teachers’ and school leaders’

concerns….Policy concerns• NC review in England• Place of Nature of

Science in the new NC• Practical including

outdoor science• Professional

development• Assessment in the new

curriculum

Teachers’ concerns• Structure of schools• School funding• Local authority

funding• External assessment• Inspection• Staff turnover/

recruitment and retention

• Behaviour management

• Health and safety……Annette SmithChief Executive

Annette SmithChief Executive

The melting pot…..

Annette SmithChief Executive

• A termly targeted electronic newsletter about science education.

• Education in Science (EiS) – the ASE house journal, 5 times per annum

• An annual account of the impact of ASE’s activities – this to be different from the Annual Report as it contains the numbers reached by all of our activities, concentrating on the difference we have made

• Corporate members’ views sought when ASE responds to consultations

• An annual briefing and networking event with ASE Assembly members. These are individuals who have been appointed to the Assembly because they are key members of the science teaching profession.

• The opportunity to engage in regional and national ASE committees

• The right to vote in all ASE elections

Some of the proposed new ASE Corporate Membership benefits:

Annette SmithChief Executive, Association for Science

Education

annettesmith@ase.org.uk

www.ase.org.uk