An interview with a Primary School science

coordinator

Sample interview questions for the

Principal and/or science
coordinator/teacher re: science provision
in the setting.
Is there a science coordinator and/or how
many specified science teachers are
there in the school?

Responses from the Principal

and/or science coordinator/teacher
re: science provision in the setting.

Monitor the primary section base

with syllabus, and doing all the
experiments in the class.

No, she just teaches her class

grade 5.

Pearson's

National curriculum in the UK.

She doesn't have the website.

Active learn primary. Co. Uk.

Computer, Smart board.

What are the duties/responsibilities of the

science teacher/coordinator?
Does she teach any, all students or just
specific year groups?
Obtain a teaching schedule and any
schemes of work, lesson plans, software
used etc. from the science
coordinator/teacher.
2

Who is responsible for science policy and

provision within the setting?
(Can we obtain a copy of the policy?)
Online/Blended Learning:

Does the setting have its own website? If

so, what is the URL, who created it and
who is responsible for managing and
updating it?
Is there any online/blended learning taking
place related to science? If so, how is this
delivered?

What ICT resources are used specifically for

teaching science?
What science
equipment/manipulatives/resources can
be found the setting? (Is there a list?
Differentiate between the classroom; the
science lab and other areas in the setting e.g.
library)

Yes, budget is minimal.

Teachers go for a workshop.

Is there a budget for materials?

Who trains teachers and staff in the use the
equipment?

Who manages the equipment and

materials?
Is/Are there dedicated science labs in
this setting?
If yes, how is it used and by whom? How is
it organised? What equipment can be
found here?

The lab technicians.

The science labs are primary used

by secondary.

If no, why not? e.g. lack of funds? No need?

Enough science equipment and expertise
in each classroom?

It could always be better.

Dino light.

Yes, the lab technicians

Yes

Yes, by the lab assistant.

We follow the ULC National

Curriculum of 2014 via Pearson's.

We have weekly planning meetings

in school where all grade teachers
attend.

No, they dont have.

Which science resources does the setting

feel it needs or would like to have to
achieve its vision or better science
teaching and learning?

e.g. Science Kits, books, wifi,

manipulatives/models, digital
cameras/camcorders, lab equipment OR
soft materials (consumables- colored
paper, glue, popsicle sticks etc.).
What are the safety rules?
Are the safety rules posted in the science
setting?

What safety equipment is available and

when is it used commonly?
Is safety equipment available for all
students in the classrooms?

Is equipment cleaned, if so by whom? Who

manages this duty?
Planning for learning- how are the
science lessons planned for in the
setting?
Does the MOE/Zone/KHDA provide unit
plans/lesson plans? (can we obtain a copy
of this?)

Are there weekly planning meetings? What

is usually done in the planning meetings?
Who attends the planning meetings?

Does the school have specific goals related

to science (TIMMS scores etc.)?

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How is learning assessed in the science

classroom?
Is there an assessment plan for the
semester? What does it include?
Do teachers collect student data? What
data, when, and what is it used for?

How do students get feedback so that they

can make improvements?

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What science professional development /

training do teachers currently receive or
have recently had?
How frequently and from whom did they
/are they receiving this?
Do they have a document that outlines this
PD?
What PD do they think teachers in the
setting still need?

We have assessments every

term.

These marks are fed into the

school system where data is
collected.

Students get feedback in the

meetings with parents or directly
from teacher.

The coordinator doesn't have it.