Professional learning in primary science: developing teacher confidence to improve the leadership of teaching and learning

The worrying decline in the status of primary school science in schools in England has been linked to low teacher confidence in teaching science and to schools being heavily focused on achievement in English and mathematics. This article reports on a novel professional learning strategy that was provided for 23 primary science leaders over five half-day workshops. Workshops focused on key topics that teachers reported having least confidence in teaching. Through a structured series of learning episodes, each workshop included knowledge and skills acquisition, opportunities to apply new knowledge and skills to primary-focused practicals, the introduction and application of scientific vocabulary, discussion and reflection time. Findings from pre- and post-workshop questionnaires undertaken with all participants and in-depth interviews with eight participants were examined from a phenomenological perspective. Participants reported that the workshops had significant and positive influences on raising their ability to teach science effectively and to build their confidence in leading colleagues. Participants also reported that the status of science in their schools had been improved.