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Teacher preparation and the national primary science curriculum: A twentieth-anniversary perspective

Sharp, John; Hopkin, Rebecca; James, Sarah; Peacock, Graham; Kelly, Lois; Davies, Dan; Bowker, Rob

Authors

John Sharp

Rebecca Hopkin

Sarah James

Graham Peacock

Lois Kelly

Dan Davies

Rob Bowker



Abstract

In 1989, the progressive introduction of a National Curriculum of subjects to all maintained schools in England and Wales brought compulsory science education into the primary sectors of these two countries for the first time. Such was its considered importance, science was placed alongside English and mathematics in what became known simply as 'the core'. As a result of its elevated profile and an immense amount of hard work and effort by teachers and other professionals responding to requirements, science education provision appeared to benefit enormously. Successive revisions of the national primary science curriculum have brought about many changes, however, each impacting on the primary profession individually in different ways and as a whole. Findings from a recently completed 'preparation to teach' survey across several geographically distinct regions of England are presented here which contribute to our ongoing understanding of the overall status of science teaching within primary schools. Twenty years on from when the national primary science curriculum was first introduced and independently evaluated, attention is drawn to the continued progress being made at the 'chalk-face' and to those factors widely perceived as continuing to inhibit delivery.

Citation

Sharp, J., Hopkin, R., James, S., Peacock, G., Kelly, L., Davies, D., & Bowker, R. (2009). Teacher preparation and the national primary science curriculum: A twentieth-anniversary perspective. Research Papers in Education, 24(3), 247-263. https://doi.org/10.1080/02671520902725770

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Dec 31, 2009
Publication Date Sep 1, 2009
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal RESEARCH PAPERS IN EDUCATION
Print ISSN 0267-1522
Electronic ISSN 1470-1146
Publisher Routledge
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 24
Issue 3
Pages 247-263
DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/02671520902725770
Keywords Education
Public URL https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/400084


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