🌟 INSET: Towards Exceptional Science Teaching – Raising Standards and Impact
With the 2025 Ofsted framework placing greater emphasis on curriculum coherence, learner progress, and subject-specific pedagogy, this CPD course supports science departments in delivering exceptional science teaching that is both inspection-ready and deeply impactful. Designed for primary and secondary science teachers, this INSET explores how to raise aspirations, improve engagement, and ensure sustained progress in science through evidence-informed practice.
The PISA 2022 Report has revealed some stark realities of the state of science education in the UK (and much of the OECD besides). The UK’s performance in science from 2000-2022 is categorised within the PISA report (page 187) as ‘steadily negative’. England’s overall science score has dropped significantly from 512 in 2015 to 503 in 2022—a drop that is equivalent to nearly 6 months of progress for a young person.
To remain masters of our subject, it’s important that we, as teachers, keep learning and evaluating on our own practice. This course provides just that opportunity for Science teachers , providing strategies, practical advice and actionable pedagogies to move towards the delivery of exceptional Science lessons.
‘Schools need to raise pupils’ aspirations and enjoyment of science and ensure that they nurture the talents of our potential young scientists of the future.’
Ofsted Report ‘Success in Science’
🧭 INSET Outline Aligned with the New Framework
🎯 Curriculum and Science Teaching
- Design a science curriculum that is ambitious, inclusive, and coherently sequenced.
- Explore what exceptional implementation looks like in science, including the use of practical work, mathematical fluency, and scientific enquiry.
- Apply research-informed strategies to improve conceptual understanding, retention, and application.
📈 Achievement and Progress
- Use assessment, feedback, and pupil voice to evidence rapid and sustained progress.
- Develop strategies to close gaps in attainment, particularly for disadvantaged learners and those with SEND.
- Embed higher-order thinking skills (HOTS), including problem-solving and reasoning.
🧠 Scientific Literacy and Cultural Capital
- Improve pupils’ ability to communicate scientific ideas clearly and confidently.
- Increase engagement and uptake in STEM subjects by building science capital.
- Use real-world contexts and careers education to make science relevant and aspirational.
🛠️ Science Teaching: Pedagogy and Practice
- Enhance teaching through effective questioning, adaptive teaching, and growth mindset strategies.
- Use technology meaningfully in the science lab to support learning and assessment.
- Plan targeted interventions using data and diagnostic tools.
🔍 Inspection Readiness
- Understand how Ofsted evaluates science under the new framework.
- Prepare evidence of impact across curriculum areas, safeguarding, and inclusion.
- Align departmental practice with national expectations and subject reports.
Looking to develop science subject specific pedagogy? Our Biology, Chemistry & Physics course are ideal to upskill your department and improve examination results at GCSE & A level.
JMC Science CPD Team
👥 Who is this INSET for?
- Primary and Secondary Science Teachers
- Heads of Science / Subject Leads
- STEM Coordinators
- Senior Leaders overseeing curriculum and quality
🗣️ Testimonial
“This course helped us rethink our science curriculum and teaching strategies in light of the new Ofsted framework. The focus on impact, inclusion, and subject-specific pedagogy was exactly what our department needed.”
— Head of Science, Secondary Academy
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