Chief schools inspector calls for new approach to science curriculum
The government's chief schools inspector has called for a change in the way the science curriculum is designed in order to drive higher educational standards.
During a talk at the Association for Science Education Annual Conference at the University of Liverpool, Amanda Spielman said recent research has indicated that not enough attention is being paid to the science curriculum at present, with schools often focusing on English and maths at the expense of science.
Concerns were also raised about the fact that many schools only allow students to take science GCSEs if they achieve certain results, which places too much of a focus on grades and not enough on the individual aspirations of pupils.
Ms Spielman said: "Too few pupils, especially the more disadvantaged ones, are sufficiently challenged and too many have their education and career options unnecessarily limited. Making sure there is a challenging science curriculum for all pupils, with clear pathways into a career, further or higher education, should be a priority for all secondary schools."
As such, the chief inspector has called upon schools to do more to ensure their approach to science teaching does more to help students to develop a scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science, as well as the uses and implications of these theories.
This means moving away from an approach in which practical science experiments are mainly conducted purely as a means of motivating students and allowing them to have fun, instead focusing on how these tasks can improve pupils' knowledge and ability to create and test hypotheses.
Ms Spielman stated that Ofsted will continue to invest in sector research to provide schools with accurate insights into how this can be achieved, rather than imposing curriculum guidelines in a direct, top-down manner.
Sign up to posts
Related jobs
Salary
£95 - 120 per day
Location free text
Stoke
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
West Midlands
Description
Sports Coach - Secondary School Support Role Stoke-on-Trent | Staffordshire | Secondary SchoolsLocation: Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire Pay rate: £95 - £120+ per day Start Date: ASAP 2026 Contract
Reference
Sports Coach -ST
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Birmingham SecondaryAuthor
Birmingham SecondarySalary
£95 - 130 per day
Location free text
Stoke
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
West Midlands
Description
Youth Worker / Residential Support Worker - Education Setting Stoke-on-Trent | Staffordshire | Specialist SchoolsLocation: Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire Pay rate: £90 - £130+ per day Start Date: A
Reference
Youth Worker
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Birmingham SecondaryAuthor
Birmingham SecondarySalary
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Doncaster
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Doncaster
Description
1:1 Tutor Location: DN12, Doncaster Hours: Part-Time, Must be available on Tuesday & Wednesday, 9:30am - 2:30pm Pay: £25 - £30 per hour, dependent on experience and qualificationsAbout the Role We ar
Reference
2/10-CoreTutor-DN12
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
North TuitionAuthor
North TuitionSalary
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Carlisle
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Carlisle
Description
GCSE Tutor - Carlisle (CA3) GCSE Tutor Needed - Carlisle (CA3)TP-Tutors are currently recruiting a dedicated and experienced GCSE Tutor to provide 1:1 tuition for students in the Carlisle (CA3) are
Reference
2/10-GCSE-CA3
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
North TuitionAuthor
North TuitionSalary
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
York
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
York
Description
1:1 SEN Tutor - York (YO26) 1:1 SEN Tutor - York (YO26)TP-Tutors are currently seeking a compassionate and experienced 1:1 SEN Tutor to provide personalised tuition for pupils in the York (YO26) ar
Reference
1/10-Sen-YO26
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
North TuitionAuthor
North TuitionSalary
£95 - 120 per day
Location free text
Wirral
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Wirral
Description
Teaching Assistants Full-Time Opportunities | Employed by Teaching PersonnelAre you an experienced Teaching Assistant looking for your next full-time opportunity within a secondary school setting?
Reference
Wirral TAs rach h
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Liverpool BranchAuthor
Liverpool BranchSalary
£100 - 210 per day
Location free text
High Wycombe
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Other
Location
High Wycombe
Description
Flexible Day-to-Day Work | Immediate Start AvailableAre you a Secondary Teacher looking for flexible supply work in High Wycombe?We are working with a number of supportive and well-established
Reference
HW SUPPLY
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Thames Valley SecondaryAuthor
Thames Valley SecondarySalary
£34,069 - 46,940 per year
Location free text
Alton
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
English
Location
Hampshire
Description
Teacher of English – AltonFull-Time | Long-Term and Permanent Opportunities | KS3 and KS4Make Every Word MatterAre you a passionate English Teacher who believes that great teaching can open doors, bro
Reference
English 132
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Hampshire SecondaryAuthor
Hampshire SecondarySalary
£34,069 - 46,940 per year
Location free text
Farnborough
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
English
Location
Hampshire
Description
Teacher of English – FarnboroughFull-Time | Long-Term and Permanent Opportunities | KS3 and KS4Help Students Find Their VoiceTeaching Personnel is seeking a creative and committed Teacher of English t
Reference
English 131
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Hampshire SecondaryAuthor
Hampshire SecondarySalary
£34,069 - 46,940 per year
Location free text
Basingstoke
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
English
Location
Basingstoke
Description
Teacher of English – BasingstokeFull-Time | Long-Term and Permanent Opportunities | KS3 and KS4Inspire the Next Generation Through Language and LiteratureAre you an enthusiastic English Teacher who ca
Reference
English 130
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Hampshire SecondaryAuthor
Hampshire SecondaryRelated posts
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
As we celebrate National Teaching Assistants' Day 2026, we're delighted to recognise the incredible individuals who have been selected as our Teaching Assistant of the Year winners.This year,
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
After a well-earned summer break, schools across the UK are opening their doors once again for a new academic year. Whether you're returning to a familiar classroom or starting a new role, Septemb
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD08YY
Summary
As schools and trusts prepare for changes to the way temporary staff are sourced from September 2026, many will look to work more closely with framework-approved recruitment partners. Understandin
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD07YY
Summary
Summer has only just started, and September might seem a long way off, but it will be here sooner than you think. Schools and trusts are already planning for September, with new opportunities open
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
Education NewsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
As schools and trusts prepare for September 2026, the shift from CCS (Crown Commercial Service) to the new GCA (Government Commercial Agency) framework marks a significant change in how supply sta
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
When schools wind down for the holidays, nurseries keep open. Many early-years settings remain open throughout the summer. Nurseries rely on skilled, caring staff to help children and
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD05YY
Summary
Exams are one of the most stressful times in the academic year, and it isn’t only pupils who feel the pressure. For teaching assistants (TAs) and support staff, exam season brings new expectations
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD05YY
Summary
If you’re considering taking the next step in education, you’re not alone. More teachers and support staff are exploring permanent roles that offer stability, progression, and a sense of belonging
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD05YY
Summary
As Teaching Personnel marks 30 years, Danielle shares her experience of building a career with the company over the past 11 years. She's completed an apprenticeship, managed a branch and w
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
Patrick highlights a decade of his work as Teaching Personnel celebrates a milestone of 10 years.He's built relationships with schools and his own management style to successfully run a branch
Register with us
for work in schools across England & Wales
Register today
Recent job