Please see attached details of a course outlining changes at KS5. All applications need to be through the SLC (SE). There may be some support funding for this if you are quick.
I have been in contact with Darryl Hamilton regarding the Institute of Physics scheme to get more people trained as Physics teachers. Attached is an article by Darren which explains his role and that of the programme.
Please see flier attached with details of this conference. I hope you will all want to attend and that each school can send a representative.
Don't forget other training detailed on e-mail to all Heads of Science in Kent. We'd love to see you at one of these.
Training for terms 3 & 4.
All planned science training is detailed in a booklet which went to all schools (multiple copies). You may have not seen this however. I apologise if this is repetition for you. There is a booking form on the blog and in the booklet, however a phone call to Debbie Kirkland at the office number below will get you booked on and appropriate paperwork sorted.
Mon 14th January – Literacy in science – how to improve literacy of your students through the medium of science. Suitable for any teachers /HoDs/HoSubject
Fri 25th January (and Tues 18th March) – Learning Skills for Science – Introduction to the SEP materials and web site. Delegates are given a huge selection of materials to support learning in science in a variety of contexts. Second day is a feedback on how the materials have been used along with an evaluation. Suitable for any teachers/HoDs/HoS
Tues 29th January (Provisional date only – details to follow from Pat Coleman) – Level 6+ Project Conference – for those 20 Kent schools involved in the L6+ project. A day of evaluation and sharing. Suitable for leads and HoDs of schools involved
Mon 4th February – Science Specialist Schools regional Conference – Peacehaven (As explained at last meeting) For Specialist school co-ordinators / their representatives
Weds 6th February – How Science Works – How to ensure HSW is covered fully and taught specifically in your SoW’s Suitable for any teachers /HoDs/HoS
Weds 13th February – Kent Science Specialist Schools meeting – Our termly meeting to discuss issues / share good practice For Specialist school co-ordinators / their representatives
Tues/Weds/Thurs 26th,27th & 28th February – Subject Leader Day – Day for subject leaders. Includes local issues and support from the strategy. Should include lots on new KS3 and the new Framework For Science. Further details to be confirmed by e-mail once we know. Suitable for HoDs or their representatives
Tues 4th March – Heads of Science Conference – THEME- Enjoyment, Engagement and Progression in science” Keynote address by Michael Reiss (Professor of Science Education – Institute of Education). Choice of workshops on Careers in science, Science at work in Healthcare, Aim Higher, Fun in science, L6+ project and others to be confirmed. A separate flyer will be in schools by the start of the Spring Terms. Book your place now! Suitable for HoDs, other representatives and any involved in science teaching. Flier attached
Weds 19th March – Implications of the revised PoS for KS3 – A chance to start some thinking and planning for this important development. Update on current thinking re the delivery of the new PoS as well as how it might be assessed. Please book early as indications from schools is that this will be a popular course. If necessary, we will put on a second session. Suitable for HoDs, KS3 Co-ordinators and any other teachers.
Please find attached details of the 21st C science training as described in recent e-mail. Please download as necessary.
Please respond to me as soon as possible so I can finalise arrangements.
Further to my r3cent e-mails regarding KS4 entitlements I have spoken with QCA and the DCFS and got a little further.There are 2 acceptable "courses" that are ststutory entitlements at KS4. These are:
Science (Core) GCSE with Additional Science GCSE OR Biology, Chemistry and Physics (all GCSE) - i.e. Triple science.
Any other courses and combinations do not meet the statutory requirements.
What does this mean? I have asked the DCFS this. In short, one (or both) of the above courses needs to be offered. This may be through an arrangement with another school but students have to be able make a choice. What happens then in a school which offers OCR Nationals to all pupils when a parent complains? This would eventually be tested, and DCFS would perhaps become involved in this.
I have found out that schools will not be written to specifically about this. Consequently you might find the booklet "Nurturing tomorrow's Scientists" useful to show your Head and others within the school. There are to be regional conferences to support schools on the new entitlements and how to meet them. The link below goes to the page where details of the conferences are to be found and the booklet mentioned can be downloaded.
Go to http://publications.teachernet.gov.uk/default.aspx?PageFunction=productdetails&PageMode=spectrum&ProductId=DCSF-00965-2007
It appears schools should be offering the above statutory courses where they are deemed to be appropriate. Students gaining L6+ at KS3 have an entitlement to study Triple science. However, this is not a statutory requirement. Triple science should be offered to those students for whom it is thought to be appropriate. Schools may choose to offer triple science in conjunction with other schools or colleges or find some other creative ways of doing this. The current project from the LSN may suggest ways of covering this, e-learning is one alternative being looked at. How schools free up the time for this is also under scrutiny. The key is in the word appropriate. A pupil scaping a level 6 will probably be better served by following a 2 GCSE science course. Better to get 2 passes at C or above than 3 grades below a C.
In the final analysis, schools should be offering a curriculum suited to the needs of their pupils. Alternative provision may need to be offered and some schools may start to look at potential partners for this.
The table of courses v entitlement and reporting is attached to this post for download.