In spring 2021 North London was commissioned by Dan Burton of THEP to initially submit a proposal, and once approved, deliver a yearlong KS5 CPD programme for all three sciences. The work was commissioned to meet an identified area of need across THEP schools.KS4 science value added is high and KS5 science at THEP schools is the most popular by numbers, however, the ALPS grades for science do not follow this trend. To facilitate this program and ensure maximum impact North London worked closely with specialists.
Below is a brief summary of the programme. Please contact admin@stemlondon.org if you wish to know more or would like to commission a similar programme.
Aims
• Raising A-level attainment across KS5 science
• Building sustained curriculum excellence in KS5 science
• Building a sustainable Tower Hamlets community of best practice for Biology, Chemistry and Physics at KS5. Connecting this community with the wider professional community
Overview
This training programme took place over the duration of the full academic year 2021-22.
All programme resources and support before, during and after was delivered via a closed group on a collaborative platform. The programme was evaluated including pre and post-course evaluations as well as evaluations of individual sessions.
Full-day face-to-face sessions were delivered at host schools in THEP, for the final session of each subject strand we organised an external trip that can be replicated with learners. Half-day remote sessions were delivered online. The gap tasks were participant led tasks to be completed independently –the delivery of the gap tasks is supported using a community platform. At suitable times throughout the year, participants were introduced to STEM Ambassadors, the National Science Learning Centre and Enthuse partnerships as well as many of the resources that STEM has to offer. Please note that STEM London are not in partnership with STEM Learning however schools are encouraged to visit the resources and opportunities that they are able to provide.
Course Dates & content
| Session | Biology | Chemistry | Physics |
| Autumn full day 1 Face to Face | Transition from GCSE to A-level. | Transition from GCSE to A-level. | Transition from GCSE to A-level. |
| Autumn Remote 13:30-15:30 | EAL and Vocab in Biology. | Approaching difficult calculations within Chemistry. | Physics education research with guest facilitator James de Winter. |
| Spring Remote 13:30–15:30 | Introduction to National Science Centre courses with hands on practicals that are less traditionally used and how to link these to the curriculum and student learning. | Practical activities to introduce new concepts to students, considering the benefits and challenges of different methods. | Introduction to the National Science Learning Centre residential courses at York with physics lead Adam Little. |
| Spring full day 2 FacetoFace | Active approaches to A Level curriculum. | Practical activities to encouraging ‘hands on and minds on’, considering prior knowledge and skills students need to confidently approach PAGs and succeed. | Advanced exam information, STEM ambassador support, including opportunity for Q&A. |
| Summer full day 3 Face to Face | Teaching skills and pedagogy. | Organic Chemistry. | Mechanics II & Thermal physics. |
| Summer Remote 13:00-15:30 | Revisiting the teaching practices of attendees. | Revisiting the teaching practices of attendees. | Revisiting the teaching practices of attendees. |
| Summer full day 4 Face to Face | Excursion -Centre of the Cell. | Excursion -University of East London. | Excursion -Greenwich Observatory. |
CPD Evaluation
Evaluations show all subject strands were rated goodor very goodby over 95% of participants. Medium term impact evaluations show 95% consider the program is having impact on…A snapshot of quotes from participants;
| Biology | Chemistry | Physics |
| The knowledge given during the course and practical ideas great. Addressing misconception identification for different topics and tips when teaching them very useful | Practicing skills with colleagues to identify where students might struggle was really useful and sharing good practice | Discussion on how to teach advanced and intricate themes in physicsexcellent/lots of good tips and suggestions on CPAC equipment and experiments |
| This session has enabled me to develop teaching strategies and practical skillsby seeing different ideas and revision techniques and talking through the content | Hands on approach was excellentand helped discover different ways to introduce topics and how to teach them | Useful theory knowledge and misconceptions challenged/practical’s specific to specification PAGwork really helpful |
| Has given me strategies to createamotivational classroom and develop student interestUsing Molymods during nomenclature task and developing literacy and non-verbal explanations really | Using Molymods during nomenclature task and developing literacy and non-verbal explanations really helpful | Found the discussion of teaching approaches to A level topics and ideas for practical’s and demos very useful. sharing ideas with other teachers always good |
Legacy
THEP head teachers have agreed they would like to see this support programme continuing next year, with at least termly 13:00 –16:00 sessions for each subject strand supported by the SLP.