Trust Projects

Durham University (Innovative Project)

University of Durham and Redcar & Cleveland LEA

What is distinctive about this project?

The project has been able to support teachers in a new unitary authority where support for science is limited because the authority is both small and newly formed. Crucially, it is developing an infrastructure of self-support amongst teachers and confidence that they can produce quality support materials for their own and other schools in the authority. The material produced is directly related to the needs of their staff and pupils and therefore relevant and immediately useable in the classroom.

The emphasis on the generation of products is distinctively part of the proposal as is the newsletter to be circulated to all schools. The use of a Professional Development Log and video diaries are also distinctive features of the project.

Overview

At a time when literacy, numeracy and ICT are Government priorities the third core subject, science, has slipped on the agenda of many schools. This project has enabled science co-ordinators to raise the profile of this subject in their schools and ensure continued curriculum development in this area. This project, which began in January 1999, aims to raise pupils' achievement in science and encourage a culture of success in science by developing an infrastructure of expertise and a climate of innovation and good practice within schools.

Aims

Working with all of the primary schools in the Redcar and Cleveland LEA over a three year period, the project has four specific objectives:

  • to continue the development of an infrastructure of expertise and innovation within the local authority
  • to promote a positive scientific culture within Project schools
  • to extend the range of teaching and learning approaches in science
  • to encourage and raise pupil attainment in science.

Costs

Typical costs for one school in Year 1

(Costs will be substantially lower in Year 2)

  • Resources £1,000
  • Tutor Costs/Staff Training £960
  • Supply Cover £1,920
  • Consultancy £1,400

Total £5,280

Achievements

The project has achieved the establishment of a working network between the University, local education authority and schools. It has re-awakened interest in science in the schools both with co-ordinators and other members of staff and raised the confidence and morale of science co-ordinators. As a result, it has given teachers confidence to produce their own support packages and newsletter which are distributed to all schools in the LEA and promoted the development of self-supporting cluster groups where teachers share ideas and work together. Schools have been helped to identify issues for development in science linked to an action plan, which has, for some schools, also been linked to their OFSTED reports. Finally, the project has raised the issue of linking key skills and numeracy and literacy with science to improve the quality of science teaching and learning.

Summary

A programme of subject course and cluster group meetings has been organised based on the needs of the first cohort of schools taking part. Three key areas for development have been identified but the initial focus is on exploration and investigation in science. Teachers taking part have been working together not only for their own professional development, but to produce materials for dissemination throughout the LEA. Packs of materials have been circulated and have been well received by schools. The project team has also produced a newsletter so that all schools have contact with the project in anticipation of their involvement in the future.

The project is clearly seen as an LEA project in that the people involved are contributing to something that will have impact on all the schools in the LEA through the mentoring model intended to operate from year to year and through materials generated. As one of the science co-ordinators put it, "the aim is to create a self-sustaining body of knowledge in the LEA."

What others say

  • "Working with teachers from other schools, sharing ideas and practice." Science co-ordinator
  • "Well worth it for excellent training, provision of time in school and resource money." Science co-ordinator
  • "Interesting sessions promoting workable ideas. It has helped to further my knowledge and ability to co-ordinate science in school." Science co-ordinator
  • "The project has been worthwhile. It has kept science at the forefront of the curriculum." Science co-ordinator
  • "It allows co-ordinators time to organise and plan and has promoted good practice in all areas of science." Science co-ordinator

    • Additional

    Self-support networks

    A key feature of this project is the development of a self-supporting infrastructure of clusters of primary schools linked with the LEA and which are sustained after the completion of the Project. Teachers are considering this and a number of project co-ordinators have already begun to run their own in-service sessions.

    Contact

    Dr. Lyn Newton - School of Education, University of Durham - d.newton@durham.ac.uk