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
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Birkenhead
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Merseyside
Description
1:1 Tutor – Birkenhead (CH41) Location: CH41, Birkenhead Pay: £25–£30 per hour ⏰ Hours: Flexible, part-time Provision: Local Authority-funded tuitionThe Opportunity We are looking for a committed
Reference
19/6Tutor- CH41
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
North TuitionAuthor
North TuitionSalary
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Chester
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Cheshire
Description
Functional Skills Tutor – Chester (CH2) Location: CH2, Chester Pay Rate: £25–£30 per hour Hours: Flexible, Part-Time Funding: Local Authority-Funded TuitionAbout the Role We are currently seeking an
Reference
19/06Funct-Ch2
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
North TuitionAuthor
North TuitionSalary
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Nottingham
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Nottingham
Description
GCSE Tutor – Nottingham (NG10) Location: NG10, Nottingham Position: GCSE Tutor Hours: Flexible, Part-Time Pay Rate: £25–£30 per hour Funding: Local Authority FundedAbout the Role We are seeking a de
Reference
19/6GCSE -NG10
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
North TuitionAuthor
North TuitionSalary
£130 - 240 per day
Location free text
Lancashire
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Other
Location
Lancashire
Description
SEN Teacher| LancashireWe are looking for a passionate SEN Teacher to join a supportive and forward-thinking team, helping students from Key Stage 2 to post-16 reach their full potential.You’ll delive
Reference
Teacher Lancashire
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£130 - 240 per day
Location free text
Smallfield
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Other
Location
Surrey
Description
SEN Teacher| Smallfield, SurreyWe are looking for a passionate SEN Teacher to join a supportive and forward-thinking team, helping students from Key Stage 2 to post-16 reach their full potential.You’l
Reference
Teacher Smallfield
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£130 - 240 per day
Location free text
Gloucestershire
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Other
Location
Gloucestershire
Description
SEN Teacher| GloucestershireWe are looking for a passionate SEN Teacher to join a supportive and forward-thinking team, helping students from Key Stage 2 to post-16 reach their full potential.You’ll d
Reference
Teacher Gloucestersh
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£130 - 240 per day
Location free text
Kidderminster
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Other
Location
Worcestershire
Description
SEN Teacher| KidderminsterWe are looking for a passionate SEN Teacher to join a supportive and forward-thinking team, helping students from Key Stage 2 to post-16 reach their full potential.You’ll del
Reference
Teacher Kidderminste
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£32,916 - 45,352 per year
Location free text
Street
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£30,000 - £39,999
£40,000 - £49,999
Sector
Science
Location
Somerset
Description
The Opportunity An exciting opportunity is available for a dedicated and inspiring Science Teacher with QTS to join a supportive and forward-thinking educational setting in Somerset.This full-time rol
Reference
HK906
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Dorset SENAuthor
Dorset SENSalary
£130 - 240 per day
Location free text
Bristol
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Other
Location
Bristol
Description
SEN Teacher| BristolWe are looking for a passionate SEN Teacher to join a supportive and forward-thinking team, helping students from Key Stage 2 to post-16 reach their full potential.You’ll deliver p
Reference
Teacher Bristol
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£130 - 240 per day
Location free text
Norwich
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Other
Location
Norwich
Description
SEN Teacher| NorwichWe are looking for a passionate SEN Teacher to join a supportive and forward-thinking team, helping students from Key Stage 2 to post-16 reach their full potential.You’ll deliver p
Reference
Teacher Norwich
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Related posts
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
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
As Teaching Personnel celebrates 30 years, we hear from Senior Branch Manager, Hannah James, who reflects on her time with us these past 11 years. The impact we have on our schools and educat
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
As Teaching Personnel marks 30 years, Vicky shares her experience of building a career with the company over the past 11 years.She joined as a trainee recruitment consultant and has become an
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
As we celebrate 30 years of making difference, get to know Rebecca who has worked at Teaching Personnel for nearly a decade. Being able to support schools and help place the right educators
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
As Teaching Personnel celebrates its 30-year anniversary, Jenny reflects on a decade of working at Teaching Personnel.From starting as a teaching assistant to overseeing multiple branches, her
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
Gemma joined the Future Teachers Programme shortly after graduating. Now in a permanent teaching position, she reflects on how the programme shaped her classroom experience and supp
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
Discover Ben Whittle’s role and find out about his impact within the Future Teachers Programme Read more How long have you been with Teaching Personnel and where are
Register with us
for a choice of classroom roles
Register today
Recent job