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
Lincoln
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
English
Location
Lincoln
Description
Are you someone who enjoys working with young people? Do you embrace challenges and enjoy motivating people to their full potential? If you are some who matches this description and is looking to work
Reference
JG-L'ln-FS (Eng)
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
North East TuitionAuthor
North East TuitionSalary
Market related
Location free text
Milton Keynes
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£30,000 - £39,999
£40,000 - £49,999
£50,000 - £59,999
Sector
Science
Location
Milton Keynes
Description
Physics Teacher - Full-Time PermanentLead an Exceptional Physics DepartmentAre you a passionate and driven Physics teacher seeking a leadership role?We are seeking a dynamic and innovative Head of Phy
Reference
PHYS1
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Permanent StaffingAuthor
Permanent StaffingSalary
£20 - 25 per hour
Location free text
Manchester
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Manchester
Description
Teaching Personnel are specialists in providing 1-1 tuition for young people who are not in education. We have an urgent need for tutors.These pupils have a range of needs including: SEND needs - suc
Reference
10SFManMath20/12
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
North TuitionAuthor
North TuitionSalary
Market related
Location free text
Milton Keynes
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£30,000 - £39,999
£40,000 - £49,999
£50,000 - £59,999
Sector
Science
Location
Milton Keynes
Description
Chemistry Teacher Lead an Exceptional Science DepartmentAre you a passionate and driven Chemistry teacher seeking a leadership role?We are seeking a dynamic and innovative Head of Chemistry to join ou
Reference
chemk2
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Permanent StaffingAuthor
Permanent StaffingSalary
£30k - 60k per year
Location free text
Southampton
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£30,000 - £39,999
£40,000 - £49,999
£50,000 - £59,999
£60,000 - £69,999
Sector
Science
Location
Southampton
Description
Science Teacher – Spark Curiosity and Inspire DiscoveryAre you passionate about science and eager to share your enthusiasm for the subject with the next generation? A dynamic secondary school in South
Reference
SCIFUTROL
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Hampshire SecondaryAuthor
Hampshire SecondarySalary
£25k - 60k per year
Location free text
Southampton
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£20,000 - £29,999
£30,000 - £39,999
£40,000 - £49,999
£50,000 - £59,999
Sector
English
Location
Southampton
Description
English Teacher – Inspire, Engage, ExcelJoin an enthusiastic and ambitious English department at a secondary school dedicated to fostering student success and personal growth. This role offers an exci
Reference
EngFutAD
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Hampshire SecondaryAuthor
Hampshire SecondarySalary
Market related
Location free text
Chester
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Secondary
Location
Cheshire
Description
Role: Secondary Teacher of Maths Location: Ellesmere Port Start Date: January 2025 Employment Basis: Flexible (Full-Time Preferred)A highly reputable Multi Academy Trust is seeking a dedicated and pas
Reference
JHDCG21
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
Market related
Location free text
Chester
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Secondary
Location
Cheshire
Description
Role: Secondary Teacher of English Location: Ellesmere Port Start Date: January 2025 Employment Basis: Flexible (Full-Time Preferred)A highly reputable Multi Academy Trust is seeking an enthusiastic a
Reference
JHDCG20
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£140 - 160 per day
Location free text
Pickering
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
ICT & Computing
Location
North Yorkshire
Description
ICT Teacher Wanted – Pickering In Partnership with Teaching PersonnelAre you a tech-savvy and passionate ICT teacher looking for a new opportunity? Teaching Personnel is seeking a dedicated ICT teache
Reference
ICTteachPick20.12
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£150 - 220 per day
Location free text
Oldbury
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Science
Location
West Midlands
Description
DO YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE DELIVERING ENGAGING SCIENCE LESSONS COVERING A NUMBER OF TOPICS? At Teaching Personnel, we are recruiting a science teacher to work on a full time basis at one of our amazing pa
Reference
Science B69
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Birmingham SecondaryAuthor
Birmingham SecondaryRelated posts
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD12YY
Summary
Recent reports state that special schools are seeing a decrease in enrollment. Many local authorities aim to integrate more children with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND) into mainst
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD12YY
Summary
The festive season and the end of term are quickly approaching! To help you prepare, our Payroll team has shared all the essential dates you need to ensure you get paid before Christmas. Check out t
by
Zuzana Vrtalova
Teaser
NurseryContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD11YY
Summary
The government has announced new nursery funding and the introduction of free before-school breakfast clubs. These initiatives will bring change to early education. Yet staffing them will be a c
by
Zuzana Vrtalova
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD10YY
Summary
On the 5th of November, we are excited to unveil our new eLearning platform, the Educator CPD Academy. This innovative platform will enhance your learning experience while maintaining a
by
Zuzana Vrtalova
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD10YY
Summary
As 31st October approaches, it’s a significant date for many teachers in the UK who may be considering their professional future. Teaching has always been one of the most rewarding professions. Y
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
Teaching assistants (TAs) are an invaluable part of schools today. Their dedication and hard work deserve to be celebrated! Their impact is so meaningful that pupils often remember the differenc
by
Zuzana Vrtalova
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD07YY
Summary
School is finally out for summer. Final-year students have left with scribbled shirts for pastures new. Final assemblies have taken place, and thank-you cards and gifts have been gratefully receiv
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD05YY
Summary
Poor attendance has been an issue across the UK since the pandemic. According to recent statistics, pupil absenteeism in England soared to 22% by 2023. This equates to over 125,000 pupils missing
Teaser
Tips and AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD05YY
Summary
As the academic year peaks, the pressure of exams can overwhelm pupils. Many teachers believe that tests and exams have the biggest impact on students’ mental health. With GCSEs, SATs, and A-Levels
Teaser
Tips and AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
The teacher recruitment crisis is a priority for school leaders across the country. In the 2021–22 academic year, 4000 teachers retired, and 9% of the teaching workforce resigned, marking the highes
Register with us
for a choice of classroom roles
Register today
Recent job