Case studies

Transition in science

Background and project rationale

Kendra McMahon, senior lecturer at Bath Spa University College and coordinator of the project, describes a science transition project working with schools in South Gloucestershire LEA and Bristol LEA.

This link project was developed by the Improving Science Together project, funded by the AstraZeneca Science Teaching Trust. It is part of a larger project to develop science teaching, in particular the teaching of Sc1 and assessment for learning. The following schools have been working in partnership with Bath Spa University College, South Gloucestershire LEA, and Bristol LEA:

• Avon Primary School
• Avonmouth C.E. Primary School
• Baileys Court Primary School
• Bankleaze Primary School
• Blaise Primary School
• Bowsland Green Primary School
• Callicroft Junior School
• Charborough Road Primary School
• Dunmail Primary School
• Filton High School
• Filton Hill Primary School
• Henbury School
• Holy Trinity Primary School
• Kingsweston Special School
• Lawrence Weston Secondary School
• Little Stoke Primary School
• Patchway High School
• Portway Community School
• Sea Mills Junior School
• Shield Road Primary School
• Shirehampton Primary School
• St. Michael’s C.E. Primary
• Stoke Lodge Junior School
• Weston Park Primary School
• Wheatfield Primary School

Project rationale

The project team recognised that there are national concerns about a dip in achievement in science in the first few years of secondary school. Primary and secondary teachers involved in the project filled out questionnaires about the issues around Year 6 to Year 7 transfer and their ideas for how this could be developed. From questionnaire results and informal discussions we found that there were mismatches in expectations of coverage and depth, particularly in Sc1, between Key Stages 2 and 3.

The existing transfer information was considered and teachers discussed how it could be made more meaningful and accessible for Year 7 teachers in order to provide formative assessment on which they could base their planning. It was decided that a project would be started in Year 6 and developed in Year 7, with an emphasis on providing assessment information in Sc1.