Science more likely to be outstanding when teachers have had science specific training
Science is a core subject in primary . Broad and balanced curriculum. Primary schools failing to ensure full coverage of Nat curric e.g. only one hour a week in the afternoon. Plan to ensure progression. Need enough time so children can build up their skills.
Ofsted do not make judgements before they come to the school. Judgement made on current outcomes for each year group.
Need to develop skills and progress over time.
Still a mistrust between primary and secondary around transition. Schools need to work together
Teacher assessed parts of ks2 curriculum give higher outcomes than externally assessed. New system still bedding in. How are you being as accurate as possible? What progress are children making?
Gcse achievement in English and maths is stable. Science has gone down with btech gone. How are courses meeting needs of less able students?
Short inspections for good schools. Only a day. Assuming school is still good. Looking at self assessment of leadership team. Will do learning walks. Not going to interrupt a lesson. as teacher can direct inspector to books or particular children to talk to. No preferred style of marking. do children understand where they are at and what to do to improve. What impact? No preferred frequency of marking. How effective are your systems?
Is work at ks3 demanding enough and appropriate?
Key messages are you challenging the most able? Disadvantaged? Most able disadvantaged? Is provision meeting need?
No particular method expected for planning, teaching, marking or self assessment. They will mage a judgement on safe guarding, visit lessons, meet with staff, gather parent and pupil views and scrutinise work.
How well does science curriculum develop understanding and skills? High quality, timely, meaningful experiences to develop skills and understanding.
Challenges ahead. Do leaders have enough knowledge of science to know if curriculum is appropriate and being taught well?
