1. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org

2. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org Heads of science conference 2010 Joanna Conn Adviser for science

3. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org Outline of the day 9.45-11.00 Keynote: Paul McCrory 11.00-11.30 Coffee 11.30-13.00 Workshop 1 13.00-14.00 Lunch 14.00-15.30 Workshop 2 15.30-15.45 Evaluation (auditorium)and FIN!

4. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org Outcomes for the conference Inspired Revitalised Enthused Updated Aware

5. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org Updates New ASE website – join the region forum! ASE consultations: The role of OfSTED Wolf Review of vocational education New CLEAPSS website and new director OfSTED: Guidance for students in science May 2010 OfSTED: Success in science new report out in January 2011

6. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org OfSTED: Guidance for students in science Best practice: –Increased flexibility at KS3 being used to develop practical science skills –Taster sessions for KS4 and KS5 courses –Detailed guidance to students, not just sections from exam board material and assessment details –Schools are selective about students for vocational courses –Information on progression to KS5 to ensure appropriate choices at KS4 (esp. vocational routes) (May 2010)

7. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org Best practice cont….. ‘ Group work, especially where students were presenting their findings to a wider audience, led to creative and often very entertaining responses. This approach was believed to take more time, yet the schools visited had no more hours dedicated to science than any other school. What was clear from all discussions with students was the importance of teaching using a whole range of strategies that placed practical investigative work at the heart of illustrating science concepts. Students said this was what they enjoyed most about science’ (p.16)

8. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org National vs. Herts courses at KS4 2010

9. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org 2010 Herts courses vs. 2007 Herts courses

10. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org 2007-2010 Changes Number of NQTs trained 186 Number of new heads of science 44

11. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org The future for schools…?! There will be changes to: the National Curriculum assessment at KS4 & 5, limiting re-sits reporting arrangements (English Bac and triple science) vocational courses OfSTED There could be structural and organisational changes within schools

12. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org The White Paper - curriculum Review and reform the National Curriculum to reduce unnecessary prescription…create scope for teachers to inspire Encourage schools to offer a broad set of academic subjects to age 16, introducing the English Bac (only 15% ss currently) Ofqual will measure qualifications against the best in the world

13. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org The White Paper - assessment ‘We support the view that skilled and precise assessment of pupils’ work – both of the level at which the children are working and of what they should be learning next –is an essential part of good teaching….we will not be prescriptive about the use of the ‘Assessing Pupil Progress’ materials.’ (p30) Ofqual will change rule on re-sits GCSEs and A levels (p49) Ofqual will consider reforming GCSEs so that exams are taken only at the end of the course (p49) …ditto linear A levels

14. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org The White Paper – vocational sciences Reform vocational education so that is supports progression ‘In some schools the number of pupils studying stretching qualifications in science has declines alarmingly. For example in 2009 around half of schools entered no pupils at all for all three sciences’ (p17)

15. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org The White Paper - accountability Performance data available to the public OfSTED focus on: quality of teaching; leadership and management; pupil achievement; behaviour and safety (new framework 09/11) Floor target 35% 5A*-C incl E & M (and Science in the future!) Performance tables to record % students achieving triple science A*-C

16. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org The White Paper - other Increase the number of specialist science teachers No funding for PGCEs for 2:2 degrees More training on the job and ‘Teaching schools’ Greater flexibility over pay and conditions Review of QTS standards Leaving age raised to 17 2013, 18 by 2015 No requirement for SIPS Schools have a responsibility for school improvement

17. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org The future for LAs… End of centrally run school improvement (e.g. The National Strategies) and the associated support and funding LAs will be able to run their own traded school improvement service LAs will be responsible for supporting schools causing concern

18. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org But teaching and learning will still be the most crucial aspect of school improvement; with teachers continuing to inspire, engage and enrich the experience of students.