Session 02

Update 1: OFSTED

Ian Richardson HMI

Specialist Adviser for Science, OFSTED

Thought Pri: Current funding doesn't prioritise primary. SLCs don't have the capacity to develop their CPD. Co-operation between LAs and SLCs. Need to get away from the immediacy of raising standards/league table syndrome. Perception by HTs/schools that tracking pupil progress requires sub-levels. Commercial tests compound this but don't support learning. Sec: Why now a prescriptive accountability of Sci GCSEs - "straight jacket"? Where has the personalisation agenda gone? Still exam driven. HSW not fully embeddedinto schemes produced by AQA. Need to address skills in exams. Feedback from on-line testing? Comments from HoS saying "once done - onto the next thing".

Intended Action

Pri: More funding targetting primary science specifically - 10/20 day courses for subject leaders. Sec: KS3 - revolution not evolution.

Thought Strong view that we should bring back 20 day courses for primary

Thought Stronger direction on transition. Greater emphasis in inspections on transition

Thought Science learning centres need to go out into the community working with clusters of schools. They need local knowledge . They need an ambassador programme.A disenting view is to close all of them except the National Centre

Thought How science works is is being taught poorly and this is linked to inadequate assessment . This does not motivate pupils or teachers. Too much emphasis of content over skills

Thought Levels in primary science are too high. LDs are set too low compared with Ma and En

Thought SLCs - few schools make use of them, often too far from schools, courses are often very expensive with no follow up. Some examples of good use of satellite centres. Some courses are good quality. Secondary - some concern over way in which schools are approaching triple science entitlement. Ofsted inspections - no detail - don't know what's happening in science.

Thought Distance of SLCs from primary schools, esp. rural areas. Need more SMT engagement.CPD needs extending over more than 2 days or so.

Intended Action

Get primary schools to be creative and flexible with Sc2,3,4.Increase collaboration with eg.training schools/SSAT networks.

Thought A. 10 or 20 day courses YES. B.Monitoring - what is effective? C.Only SLC in Eng- so? Plus - how effective?

Intended Action

A. Fund for local deliv.B.Investigate effective monitoring strategies. C.Continue to deliver at local level. Develop better partnerships with LAs

Thought lack of support for primary science. 'consultancy' model more effective than a '20-day course'. 100% lab time is essential.

Intended Action

Enable someone (National Strategies?) to support science at KS1/2

Thought Communicating the messages to science teachers effectively in primary schools,priority given to cpd inschools

Thought 20 day courses (continuing, not just for year or two), or part of PNS. Quality support for science in ITT programmes. Endorse labs point.

Intended Action

Need to find right people and nag them stupid re pri. SSAT, SSs and LAs need to communicate better. Is sci marginalised in SNS? - action?

• Need funding for 20 day courses!

• Need to refocus schools on science as a core primary subject

• Would welcome training for Primary Science teachers but not solely by RSLC. We already deliver primary training ourselves

• CVA: What progress does a level 3 KS1 pupil need to get a 102.0?

• Inspection of teacher training in science particularly enquiry skills. Are they monitored?

• Does OfSTED promote that full exercise books that have been ’tick’ marked is not what they are looking for? Is AfL really promoted?

• How can a school support attendance of teachers on multi-day courses particularly in a narrow subject specific course rather than a ‘whole school issue’?

• Are there issues with training teachers (ITT)?

• Do primary teachers need to be more specialised?