Recent Press Releases
Science Community welcomes Rose Review of Primary Curriculum
SCORE press release
Thu, 30 April 2009
SCORE (Science Community Partnership Representing Education), the body representing the UK’s foremost science education organisations, welcomes the publication today of the Rose Review on Primary Science. This review of the entire primary curriculum in England was commissioned by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) in spring last year. Led by Sir Jim Rose, it is focused on, among other things, raising standards, reducing prescription and widening participation.
Sir Alan Wilson, the Chair of SCORE, said, “The proposed curriculum highlights how primary science can develop our youngest students’ natural curiosity. It promotes a hands-on approach to science education and moves towards less prescription. We commend the emphasis the report places on the importance of science, as a crucial means to help young students constructively explore the world around them.
“The new curriculum will also attempt to increase the relevance of classroom science to young minds through the increased emphasis on cross-curricular studies. If the distinctive aspects of each subject can be retained successfully, this approach will provide meaningful contexts for scientific concepts, enabling students to connect what they are learning with day-to-day experiences.
“However, the success of these proposed reforms will depend heavily on the assessment tools that are put in place. The SCORE partners share the concerns of many other organisations about the appropriateness of the current science tests and their impact on children in Year 6 and earlier years due to the high stakes use of the results. SCORE continues to recommend a move towards teacher assessment throughout the primary school. This would enable teachers to give students a broader, more engaging range of authentic science experiences in the primary years.”
SCORE looks forward to supporting the DCSF to develop practical methods to help it implement the most crucial aspects stemming from the Rose Review:
- Suggesting how pupils can have a broader range of ‘hands-on and minds-on’ investigative science experiences so that they can fully engage with the subject;
- Advising on ways to combine science and technology and ensure that they keep their place in the curriculum;
- Making sure that timely and appropriate support is provided to teachers. This will help them to develop their confidence in order to manage the curriculum changes effectively, as the aspirations of the Review will not be realised if teachers are not appropriately supported.
Sir Alan Wilson continued, “We see the Rose Review as a very promising starting point. The Government, the SCORE partnership and teachers now need to work together to ensure that we are equipping our youngest minds with the skills necessary to face the challenges of the future.”
Ends
Notes to editors:
SCORE, a partnership of scientific learned societies, science teachers and other key science organisations was founded in 2006 by the Association for Science Education, the Biosciences Federation, the Institute of Biology, the Institute of Physics, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Royal Society and the Science Council.
The Association for Science Education (ASE) is the largest subject association in the UK with a membership which includes teachers, technicians and others involved in science education. The Association plays a significant role in promoting excellence in teaching and learning of science in schools and colleges. Working closely with the science professional bodies, industry and business, ASE provides a UK-wide network bringing together individuals and organisations to share good ideas and tackle challenges in science teaching, develop resources and foster high quality Continuing Professional Development. Further details of the ASE and its regional, national and international activities can be found at its website www.ase.org.uk
The Biosciences Federation is a single authority representing the UK’s biological expertise, providing independent opinion to inform public policy and promoting the advancement of the biosciences. The BSF has committees representing Animal Sciences, Education, Journals, Environment and International Liaison. Member societies, of which there are over 50, cover the full range of biosciences from physiology and neuroscience, biochemistry and microbiology, to ecology, taxonomy and environmental science. Website: www.bsf.ac.uk
The Institute of Biology is the professional and charitable body charged by Royal Charter to further the study and application of the UK’s biology and allied biosciences. It has 12,000 members and over 50 specialist learned Affiliated Societies. Website: http://www.iob.org/
The Institute of Physics is a scientific charity devoted to increasing the practice, understanding and application of physics. It has a worldwide membership of more than 36 000 and is a leading communicator of physics-related science to all audiences, from specialists through to government and the general public. Its publishing company, IOP Publishing, is a world leader in scientific publishing and the electronic dissemination of physics. Go to www.iop.org
The Royal Society of Chemistry is the UK Professional Body for chemical scientists and an international Learned Society for the chemical sciences with some 46,000 members worldwide. It is a major international publisher of chemical information, supports the teaching of the chemical sciences at all levels and is a leader in bringing science to the public. Website: www.rsc.org
The Royal Society is an independent academy promoting the natural and applied sciences. Founded in 1660, the Society has three roles, as the UK academy of science, as a learned Society, and as a funding agency. It responds to individual demand with selection by merit, not by field. As we prepare for our 350th anniversary in 2010, we are working to achieve five strategic priorities, to:
- Invest in future scientific leaders and in innovation
- Influence policymaking with the best scientific advice
- Invigorate science and mathematics education
- Increase access to the best science internationally
- Inspire an interest in the joy, wonder and excitement of scientific discovery
Website: www.royalsociety.org
The Science Council is a representative membership body for professional and learned organisations across the spectrum of science and its applications and it aims to promote the members’ collective knowledge, resources and achievements. Membership comprises the core subject societies of physics, biology chemistry and mathematics, as well as specialist discipline institutes and professional organisations. Through its member bodies the Science Council now represents some 400,000 practicing scientists in academia, the public sector, industry and commerce who are working across all areas of science: in health, engineering, technology and the environment. Website: www.sciencecouncil.org
For further information contact:
Joseph Winters
Senior Press Officer
The Institute of Physics, London
Tel: 020 7470 4815
Mob: 07946 321473
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