Ofsted Science Update

Amanda Spielman, Ofsted, spoke at the Association for Science Education annual conference on 5 January 2018 at the University of Liverpool.

Highlights

Amanda: 'Too few schools are thinking deeply enough about how the curriculum works' #aseconf

— EiC (@RSC_EiC) January 5, 2018

Amanda: 'A good curriculum, well taught, should lead to success in exams' #aseconf

— EiC (@RSC_EiC) January 5, 2018

Spielman highlights the rapid use of a two year KS3 which limits children's experience of a broad curriculum, and forces them to choose options early. #ASEconf

— Carol Davenport (@DrDav) January 5, 2018

Amanda: '[schools] must make sure that [by shortening KS3 to 2 years] they are not directing students away from subjects they would have otherwise taken a year later' #aseconf

— EiC (@RSC_EiC) January 5, 2018

Amanda: 'Too few governors hold their school to account over their curriculum' #aseconf

— EiC (@RSC_EiC) January 5, 2018

"Having enough time to teach is clearly a basic condition for a good science curriculum but important that the time is spent well #ASEconf" @Ofstednews @amanda_spielman

— The ASE (@theASE) January 5, 2018

Amanda: 'In most of the schools we saw, the option of double or triple science [and therefore their future options] was almost always decided by exam results. Too many students have their career options unnecessarily limited' #aseconf

— EiC (@RSC_EiC) January 5, 2018

A focus on quantity rather than quality is not appropriate for children. OfSTED looking at primary provison in their next round of research- Amanda Spielman #ASEconf

— Sean Starr (@seanstarr) January 5, 2018

.@amanda_spielman highlights the aims of the national curriculum and also the uses of practical science from #GoodPracticalScience from @GatsbyEd #ASEconf

— Carol Davenport (@DrDav) January 5, 2018

"We're starting to use [educational] research better than at any time in history" @amanda_spielman #ASEconf @Ofstednews

— The ASE (@theASE) January 5, 2018

PISA found inverse correlation between use of enquiry based learning and performance. This should make science teachers think critically about how they teach. #ASEconf

— Carol Davenport (@DrDav) January 5, 2018

But, Amanda emphasises, this doesn't mean Ofsted is going to advocate one particular teaching style! #aseconf https://t.co/wvrOE7elWw

— EiC (@RSC_EiC) January 5, 2018

Question: do you envisage KS2 tests returning? Amanda: 'That would be a question for an education minister' #aseconf

— EiC (@RSC_EiC) January 5, 2018

OfSTED is to complement the assessment/testing regimen and not to introduce policy. #ASEconf

— Sean Starr (@seanstarr) January 5, 2018

Improving professional development for inspectors should ensure that what @amanda_spielman says is carried out during inspection, but it will take time. #ASEconf

— Carol Davenport (@DrDav) January 5, 2018

Question: '[With a focus on a balanced curriculum] can we assume that science will be mentioned in every primary school inspection report?'
Amanda: 'No, I can't guarantee that'. #aseconf

— EiC (@RSC_EiC) January 5, 2018