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Ofsted Subject Conference Report 2001-02: Science
This report from Ofsted is of a one day conference for representatives of LEA areas. The theme was good practice in science investigation and enquiry and how this important part of the primary science curriculum could be further enhanced. The report gives the inspection findings and summary of wider findings.
The conference was concerned with:
*Using scientific enquiry to raise standards
*Arriving at a common understanding the purpose of scientific enquiry
*Recognising the features of progression in investigative work
*Sharing good practice in planning for scientific enquiry
*Encouraging all colleagues to find time for practical science.
*Teaching Investigative Science
*Fair Testing
*Pattern-seeking in Nature
*Exploring
*Classifying
*Making Things
*Assessment of Sc1
*Using Science Centres as a resource for Sc1
Delegates were divided into four groups for the afternoon session to share practice and discuss:
- The purpose of Scientific Enquiry
- Progression in scientific investigations
- Assessment of Scientific Enquiry
- Planning/Differentiation, ideas & evidence
Amongst the many suggestions made were:
- Balance the types of investigation and Sc1 skills over time
- Give children opportunities to monitor and assess their own work
- Focussed marking with clear targets to move children forward
- Time for exploration (play), thinking & revisiting is vital
- Use a variety of presentation methods
- Use structured writing frames
- Synchronising SC1 development with literacy, numeracy and ICT
- Use access to resources to extend or limit students' activity as appropriate
- Press for more guidance on assessment
- Develop sheets to stick in books to support self/peer assessment
- Use recording sheets to aid levelling of skills
- Employ different ways of finding out what pupils learn e.g. concept maps.
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