I attended this conference wearing many hats: as OUP Assessment Editor, ASE Regional Acting Chair, ASE National Committee 11-19 and ITE Tutor. Here are the headlines that I hope will be useful to colleagues who were not there. There is stuff for ITE tutors, ITE trainees, Primary and Secondary Science teachers and senior leaders.
Unleashing Great Teaching, David Weston, Teacher Development Trust.
My key reflections from this session were:
- Emphasis on good quality CPD for teachers, preferably sustained over a period of time where they have ownership.
- The small scale, highly focussed approach David spoke about, I thought, was very much in keeping with action research cycles. Reminds me of the small scale projects my Masters students do.
- Importance of different perspectives. Schools can become silos if they do not get outside input. David spoke of 'Group think disruption'.
- Opportunities for collaboration within and between schools and times and space for high quality discussion is important.
My actions from this session are to:
- Read Developing Great Teaching report
- Discuss with colleagues where Initial Teacher Education fits in.
- Consider if there is opportunity with OUP to extend teacher support over a longer time period.
Current Issues in Science, Matthew Newberry, HMI Science Lead, Ofsted.
My key reflections from this session were:
Matthew Newberry is new to post as science lead and the new big Ofsted boss has just started, so Ofsted is in a period of change. However he went over the previous reports to establish what we know and talked about current practice.
I left feeling very positive as there were a few helpful hints that primary and secondary teachers may find useful:
- The main and repeated message was that the inspectors are not looking FOR any particular approach, they are looking AT what we do to achieve the outcomes. So they are not looking for particular marking styles or frequencies, particular pedagogies, etc. just at the outcomes from the practices in use.
- Don't be shy in providing evidence of progress to an Inspector. When they come into your room, if you are in full flow, just direct them to your mark boook, the pupils work or a pupil to sit next to. Maybe prompt a TA to do this if you are up-front teaching. Also follow up later in the day to show a sample of books that shows the progress the class made.
- Secondary schools should find opportunities to look at and compare the books across subjects and see the standard of literacy and maths in each subject. I can imagine that being a useful process for any teacher at any stage.
- The report in May 2016 found that only one third of primary schools Primary schools need to ensure that their provision is broad and balanced, which includes the development of science knowledge, understanding and skills. Again there is no expected way, but is it being achieved?
My actions from this session are to:
- Share this with my primary and secondary colleagues.
- Find out more about RaiseOnline
- Read the May 2016 Report on Primary Science & MFL
Teaching in Biology, BERG (Biology Educational Research Group)
This was the second year that I had attended and presented at the BERG sessions, sponsored by the Royal Society of Biology (RSB).
There was some very interesting work on Primary school Evolution.
I presented my ongoing work on Year 10 students' understanding of the nervous system. I will add a link to the presentations once they are active.
Books
The ASE ran a book competition this year and the winner was announced as: The Abyss of Time by Paul Lyle. I bought a copy and got it signed by the rather surprised but proud author. Looking forward to reading it - my geological knowledge always benefits from a boost.
Favourite Freebies
The ASE Annual Conference always has a load of freebies. My favourite this year were Gratnell's mini trays which had teabags or sweets in them. I love a good cuppa and was able to wangle one of each with the promise of a tweet! Notice also the sciencey OUP badges and Periodic Table pens from the OUP stand!
OUP - AQA Activate
It was also the launch of OUP's AQA Activiate. A Key Stage 3 textbook which is part of a larger resource back on Kerboodle. I am the Assessment Editor of this and am very proud of it, the author team have done a great job. I did two presentations on Five Year Assessment and Check Points and PinchPoints.
Thanks to the OUP reps and publishing team for supporting me at this event.
AC-G
