The Government have accepted Sir Jim Rose’s proposals for a new primary curriculum to come into effect from 2011 which will give schools more flexibility to meet pupils’ individual needs and build on prior learning. From January 2010, a support package will be available to help schools and teachers implement the new primary curriculum. The support package is currently being developed in consultation with schools and teachers and will include promoting the effective teaching of science.
It will also be accompanied by the new Assessing Pupils’ Progress (APP) materials for primary science which will enable teachers to make judgments about their pupils’ attainment against national curriculum levels and inform individual learning to promote improved teaching of science in primary schools and complement the approach taken at secondary schools.
The national network of Science Learning Centres provides high quality CPD in science for primary and secondary science teachers, teaching assistants and technicians. Primary teachers are also eligible for bursaries to cover the cost of attending professional development courses at the National Science Learning Centre in York.
The Department has awarded a contract to the Association for Science Education (ASE) to run a support programme to improve the use of practical work in science across primary and secondary schools. The programme builds on the work undertaken by SCORE (Science Community Representing Education) on best practice in this area and aims to provide teachers with innovative, effective advice, guidance, and support regarding the use of practical work in science.