As exams get underway we sometimes get a bit of a breather, a chance to reflect and think about developing schemes of learning, refreshing resources or booking in CPD for next year.
I’d like to share 3 ideas for heads of science or science teachers to focus some self-evaluation (with a nod to Brookfield’s 4 lenses):
- Book group: I love Shaun Allison’s book Making Every Science Lesson Count. It’s a quick read, but packed with common sense tips on science teaching: questioning, modelling, teaching outside your specialism, moving from surface to deep learning and so on. You could take one chapter for discussion each half term! A great jumping off point for departmental debate.
- Reflective questions for you and/or your department, such as:
- What change(s) have I made in the last year or two which has improved my students’ experience in science?
- What impression does the lookof the department convey to a visitor?
- What are our departmental meetings for?
- Networking for new ideas: maybe now is a good time to observe colleagues in other departments, visit other local schools or look even further afield for ideas. Membership of the Association for Science Education or one of the subject associations (IoP, RSC, RSB etc.) connects you with lots of resources and professional development opportunities.
If you are looking for a departmental review, middle leadership training or bespoke in-school CPD for the autumn term, I’m booking dates now!
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