Developing Science Expertise in the Primary Phases (A certificated programme)

This programme provides the science subject lead and primary teachers across the two key stages and for early years with all they need to support teachers who may not have the curriculum knowledge or the science expertise. It is written by Glynis Frater author of Primary Curriculum Design and Delivery.

Description

Developing science expertise in the primary school is important. Science is a pivotal subject and is the third element of the core curriculum for primary schools to focus on when planning a cohesive platform for deep learning. Science embraces many elements of the wider currcilum requiring excellence in literacy and numeracy skills and the absolute need to create opportunities for progression and reflection over time.

This programme provides the science subject lead and primary teachers across the two key stages and for early years wiith all they need to support teachers who may not have the curriculum knowledge or the science expertise. It is written by Glynis Frater author of Primary Curriculum Design and Delivery.

There is significant evidence from research that initial teacher training for those wishing to pursue a career as primary teachers does not provide adequate opportunity for teachers to practice teaching science or to learn how to plan a progressive and sequenced curriculum offer. We delve deeply into the curriculum for science, the requirement to teach pupils how to work scientifically and how to develop highly independent and active pedagogy that will support the enquiring mind, the problem solving, science focused learner and the curious and creative seeker of scientific knowledge in the quest to ensure pupils are secondary ready by the time they reach the end of year 6.

Structure

5 key modules, subdivided into 6 or 7 lessons all with a rich cornucopia of resources and activities to support a comprehensive CPD strategy. Each module can be bought as a standalone unit or all five modules can be purchased together.

• Each module can be bought singly for £495.00 + VAT
• Buy all five modules together for £1,950.00 + VAT
• Engage with an expert curriculum coach to support the process for £80.00 a session

The advantage of engaging with one of our expert curriculum coaches is that they can work with you to plan how to deliver the units to meet the needs of the school, the science lead and teachers who will teach and ensure that the implementation strategy is aligned to the school vision for excellence and high quality learning and teaching.

We recommend the coaching options as they provide a framework where the coach is a professional partner who can work with the curriculum lead or CPD lead who is planning the delivery model and create a structure and opportunities for reflection that creates the cohesion and opportunities to truly cascade the learning across all subjects, phases and departments. The 8 hour option will provide an opportunity to achieve the Silver Curriculum Excellence Award and the 16 hour option will provide an opportunity to achieve the Gold Curriculum Excellence Award a prestigious accolade for the school.

Key  Features

• The content of this programme is professional development for the science subject lead and all teachers and Teaching Assistants involved in the planning and delivery of the science curriculum. It is therefore extremely cost effective and will create whole school consistency and cohesion
• The programme is informed and research-driven, providing valuable insights into current drivers for the science curriculum development and teaching strategies specifically in the primary setting.The modules contain a wealth of practical materials and resources, fostering cohesive planning, subject-specific delivery, and cross-curricular collaboration
• The lessons within each module encourage dialogue between the science lead, teachers of science and Teaching Assistants who have a frameworin to work with that focuses on curriculum quality and the school-wide vision and rationale for curriculum excellence in science and elsewhere
• Each module has a wealth of resources, research and activities which are active and participative and encourage a science lead and teachers from across the year groups to focus on a sequence of deep learning that embraces literacy, numeracy and other subjects from across the curriculum
• The content has been written by Glynis Frater who has recently published the highly acclaimed book Primary Curriculum Design and Delivery

Five modules each with 6-7 interactive learning opportunities

Module 1 – The pivotal role of the primary schoom science subject

1.1 The components of the primary science curriculum
1.2 Defining the qualities of a promary science lead
1.3 What are Ofsted looking for?
1.4 Leading science in the primary phase
1.5 What is the vision and ambition for science in an individual school?
1.6 Translating science curriculum intent into mplementation
1.7 Focuisng on strengths and capabilities to lead science in the primary phase?

Module 2 – Inside the science curriculum – Early years to year 6

2.1 A focus on what is included in the science curriculum programmes of study EYFS, KS1 and KS2
2.2 Working scientifically – what does it mean for pedagogy and learning
2.3 Creating a culture of curriculum cohesion
2.4 The sequencing of learning – early years to year 6
2.5 Dimensions of depth – a take on the mastery model
2.6 Cognitive science and memory – a focus on deepening science knowledge

Module 3 – Excellence in pedagogy and learning for primary science

3.1 Pedagogy and deep learning – how to develop pupils who are deep and reflective learners
3.2 A focus on literacy, vocabulary and reading as an integral part of olanning for deep learning
3.3 Dovetailing numeracy skills in the context of science teaching
3.4 Metacognition and thinking skills in a science context
3.5 Igniting the enquiring mind
3.6 Group working – creating cohesion and outcomes

Module 4 – Assessment and learning – coaching towards positive feedback

4.1 Leading a coherent assessment strategy for science
4.2 Assessment and progression for deeper learning in science
4.3 Planning for differentiation
4.4 Positive questioning for feedback and progression in science
4.5 Active listening – an essential skill for learning and assessment
4.6 Assessing pupils’ work – not just in books

Module 5 – Leading a primary science team

5.1 Skills and progression – in the early years foundation stage
5.2 Skills and progression – in key stage 1
5.3 Skills and progression – in key stage 2
5.4 Creating potential to teach science in the primary phase
5.5 Using a coaching tool to focus on goal setting
5.6 The coaching continuum – finding the right culture to influence positive change
5.7 Drawing a conclusion and next steps

A rich cornucopia of learning for those who have the task of leading science learning

• Deeply researched and practical in its approach there is a wealth of learning and many opportunities to create a synergy across the primary school years and key stages
• There is up to a whole years worth of CPD, resources, activities and materials for the science subject lead to plan a programme for developing deep science learning across the whole school
• Having  the option to buy individual modules as well as buying the whole programme means that where there are specific areas of need these can be planned and the cost can be spread over time where necessary
• Looks in some detail at howw science is a pivotal subject that requires the development and practice of maths and English, literacy and numeracy skills and focuses on the powerful section relating to working scientifically that also require pupils to show they are developing their metacognitive and thinking skills
• Choosing to buy some time with a Learning Cultures expert curriculum coach is a powerful addition to what is a valuable learning opportunity for the science lead and the teams of teachers and Teaching Assistants across the whole school
• Written by me Glynis Frater who has written Primary Curriculum Design and Delivery published last year by SAGE

Use our Contact us page and leave us your contact details putting the title of the programme, Developing Science Expertise in the Primary Phases. You can talk to me Glynis by telephone on 07974 754241 or you can email me at glynis@learningcultures.org