Ofsted has today published the first in a new series of reports
looking at how subjects are taught in England’s schools.
Today’s report looks at science education and draws on evidence
from a sample of primary and secondary schools, gathered as part
of routine inspections.
Read the ‘Finding the optimum: the
science subject report’.
Inspectors found that science curriculums are improving and
developing despite the lingering challenges of the pandemic. The
science curriculum taught to pupils, including those with special
educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), is
generally at least as ambitious as the national curriculum aims.
This is a significant strength in science education in England’s
schools.
However, the report notes areas where improvements still need to
be made. In secondary schools, inspectors found that pupils
sometimes lacked opportunities to take part in high-quality
practical work. In contrast, there was a greater emphasis on
practical work in primary schools, but not necessarily work that
had a clear purpose in relation to the curriculum. In a small
number of schools visited, pupils were not retaining the science
knowledge they had learned.
Ofsted Chief Inspector, Amanda Spielman, said:
A good science education can open the door to some of the most
interesting and socially valuable pathways in life. So I’m
encouraged to see the progress that has been made in science
teaching, despite the pressures brought by the pandemic.
I hope that this review helps subject leaders and teachers to
construct a challenging science curriculum with relevant and
useful practical work.
The report makes a series of recommendations for how schools and
other organisations can make sure that all pupils leave school
with an authentic understanding of science, including:
- developing a curriculum which identifies and sequences the
knowledge pupils need, especially to work scientifically
- providing all pupils with opportunities to take part in
high-quality practical work that has a clear purpose in relation
to the curriculum
- building enough time into the curriculum for pupils to learn
and remember key knowledge
- initial teacher education providers supporting trainee
teachers to develop their knowledge of what science is and the
methods it uses, and how to teach this
