Trust Projects - Westminster Institute of Education - Oxford Brookes University

Conceptual Challenge in Primary Science for Year 6 Pupils

The project aims to help teachers to uncover and maximise the potential of the scientifically able pupils within their schools through inclusion of all pupils. The project will involve 16 schools and two key teachers within each school - the subject leader and a Year 6 class teacher.

There will be eight full days and four twilight sessions of continuing professional development in the university for these teachers, spread out over the year. Two days of additional supply cover will allow teachers to spend time observing and working together in classrooms and to carry out research in their schools, supported by a university tutor.

Each session will be interactive in nature and the participants will be encouraged to try out their ideas in school between sessions. The sharing of findings and good practice will be a key feature of the sessions. The development in the thinking will be evidenced in their research diaries and in their feedback at subsequent sessions.

Programme

The project aims to  enable teachers to improve the level of conceptual challenge available for  all Year 6 pupils in primary science.

It will seek to establish evidence of a link between the provision of a curriculum characterised by conceptual challenge and improved standards of attainment, particularly for the more able.

It intends to enable teachers to enhance all pupils' enthusiasm for science and their enjoyment of conceptual challenge and to explore the extent to which this kind of approach has resonance for pupils of all ability.

The science co-ordinator and Year 6 class teachers will:

• further develop their personal science subject knowledge and understanding.

• further develop their knowledge of theory related to able pupils.

• relate these two previous areas to consider means of providing conceptual challenge in science.

• consider the application of these principles within the school's ongoing science curriculum in Year 6.

• develop an interesting, stimulating and challenging programme of study in science.

 Contact

Helen Wilson : h.wilson@brookes.ac.uk