Statement of Intent
OFSTED's assessment of a school's science department includes a thorough review of the school's statement of intent for science, ensuring it aligns with actual teaching practices and management of the subject. The report by OFSTED in February 2019 highlighted discrepancies between the ambitious curricular aims for science and the reality within classrooms, where science education often demonstrated only superficial adherence to the National Curriculum. The report suggested that science planning was fragmented and lacked depth. To address these concerns, schools are encouraged to follow the PZAZ scheme, ensuring their statements of intent accurately reflect the actual operation of their science programs. It is critical that the claims made in the statement, such as the frequency and nature of practical activities, are consistent with the experiences students have in their science lessons to avoid any negative feedback from OFSTED.
The example Science Statement of Intent illustrates the school's commitment to the importance of science in everyday life and its role in human progress. It outlines the school's science curriculum goals, which include fostering curiosity, respect for living organisms, and environmental care. The curriculum is designed to build scientific knowledge and skills through enquiry. It details the expectations for science lessons, including developing conceptual understanding across physics, chemistry, and biology, encouraging questions about the natural world, and promoting teamwork. Practical investigations and the use of various methods to gather and present data are also emphasised. The statement also addresses teacher improvement through CPD opportunities and the role of the science coordinator in overseeing and improving the school's science provision. Finally, it describes the implementation of the curriculum, with a focus on a positive learning attitude, problem-solving, skill development, and regular assessments to ensure all students achieve high standards in science.
