BEP Service - Curriculum Focus Visit
School: St Margaret Mary Catholic Primary School
Who was this for?: Jayne Logue, Headteacher.
A newly appointed Science Leader needed to establish a clear baseline of science provision across her school. Without a comprehensive understanding of current practices, it would be difficult to create an effective action plan for improvement. The goal was to provide a structured approach to help her confidently assess the subject's strengths and areas for development.
BEP provided a tailored Focus Visit as part of its essential membership. The visit was designed to model a robust and effective way to gain a holistic view of science delivery. Key activities included:
Learning Walks: We conducted learning walks across all school phases to observe how science was being taught and to get an overview of the subject in action.
Pupil Book Study: Using a guided approach, we reviewed pupil books to assess the retention of learning and the understanding of scientific vocabulary. This provided valuable insight into what students were learning and remembering.
Pupil Voice: We engaged in conversations with students to capture their perspectives on science. This feedback, combined with the book study, helped us understand the student experience firsthand.
Collaborative Analysis: We worked with the Science Leader to identify and discuss key strengths and areas for development, providing a clear foundation for her to build upon.
Action Planning Support: We offered practical guidance and signposting to support the leader in developing a strategic action plan.
The Science Leader described the visit as a "valuable exercise," particularly praising how the process of learning walks, book looks, and discussions with pupils was modeled. The support provided an immediate and lasting impact:
Increased Confidence: The Science Leader gained the confidence to conduct regular monitoring independently. She now confidently undertakes pupil interviews and book looks on her own.
New Initiatives: Building on the visit's success, she has started moderating science books with leaders from other schools, fostering collaboration and sharing best practices.
Future Development: The school is now keen to further embed the Pupil Book Study approach not only in science but also in other curriculum areas.
This Focus Visit successfully equipped the Science Leader with the tools and confidence needed to drive continuous improvement in science education at her school.