Governor’s Report – Science

As Governor with special responsibility for Science I am pleased to report that the quality of teaching in this core subject continues to improve, and that this is creating a climate for learning that is bringing the best out of our children. There has been more frequent teacher assessment this year, and the standard has been at a level of good, or above.

A change that has taken place this year that has helped to promote this climate has been the introduction of the independent approach to the planning of experiments in Year Six. Pupils have been encouraged to come up with their own ideas, which were written down on a large sheet of paper, of the factors that controlled a particular experiment. This has encouraged thinking on their behalf rather than being pointed in the right direction by the teacher. It is interesting to note that certain questions in this year’s SATS have used this approach towards reaching a solution to a particular problem. The aim is now to use this way of teaching with the other year groups.

It is also interesting to note how this year’s SATS once again demonstrated to our children the close link between Science and Mathematics. Questions displayed tables of numerical results, and graphs, both of the block and point type, that had to be interpreted, and Venn diagrams.

The Science Club has continued to meet regularly, and those pupils who have attended have showed considerable enthusiasm. One theme that has been pursued has been that of Chemical Reactions. The pupils have seen how many common substances found in the home, such as vinegar and bicarbonate of soda, are in fact ‘chemicals’.

I am confident that the introduction of these innovative approaches to the teaching of Science will stretch the already inquisitive minds of our children even further, and will ultimately result in their increased understanding of this fascinating subject.

David T Craggs

Governor with responsibility for Science