The Independent Schools Council is a politically independent, not-for-profit organisation representing 1,270 independent schools educating more than 500,000 children. It exists to promote choice, diversity and excellence in education, developing talent at all levels of ability and from all backgrounds.
- Independent Schools Council
- Blog Science teaching at prep schools
Science teaching at prep schools
Written by Rudi Eliott LockhartToday’s publication of the latest of The Royal Society’s ‘State of the Nation’ reports makes for interesting reading. The report casts light on the teaching of Science and Maths between the ages of 5 and 14, and draws attention to the paucity of science specialists in primary schools, it also concludes that the testing regime in England has “stifled creativity”. The study points out that science is a practical subject that requires an understanding that cannot be achieved by the simple rote learning that teaching to the test encourages. This is an important and well considered report, but it is not one that pays heed to the independent sector, indeed, the two main criticisms within the report do not apply to the teaching of science in independent schools. The Royal Society highlight that only 3% of primary teachers at maintained schools in England are science specialists and only 2% are maths specialists, but figures from ISC’s own Teacher Survey paint a rather different picture for the independent sector. 8% of primary level teachers at ISC schools have a science undergraduate degree while 5% have maths degrees. This is important because, as the Royal Society report points out, even though many primary school teachers are generalists it’s important for teachers to have access to specialist advice, particularly in relation to a teacher’s subject knowledge, where perceived lack of personal knowledge can lead to low confidence and influences teaching approaches. This means it’s advantageous to have at least one science and maths specialist in each school. As for the report’s other main criticism, the independent sector is also fortunate to be free of much of the regime of testing that leads to the culture of teaching to the test in the maintained sector, so this concern does not apply to independent schools to the same degree: independent schools are able to focus on inspiring their pupils and teaching them to really understand science, rather than to regurgitate facts. The teaching of science is one of the great strengths of the independent sector. This is often demonstrated by university entrance figures and impressive A-level results, but it’s also due to the superb standards of science education at prep level. This strength is not just about having access to labs and other facilities, but the use of specialist teachers and a commitment to establishing scientific method and basic knowledge at an early age when pupils’ imaginations and enthusiasm are at their most fertile.
Related posts:
- Teaching under-fives lawful in schools again, says shock report
- Prep Schools – A Tough Decision?
- Looking for your first teaching job?
- Teacher Taster Days in independent schools
- Pre preparatory, prep, junior, senior and sixth form what do they mean
