Simon Hammond is a PGCE student
I’m partway through a science PGCE and am seriously thinking of going into the private sector having seen the present and impending assessment methods in the state sector.
As well as the obsession with peer assessment and the way science works, my present school has a policy of all staff teaching all sciences at all levels, on the grounds that it is the quality of the teaching that matters, not the content. As a result, pupils are being taught GCSE physics by a biologist who does not understand physics GCSE, while there are very good physicists teaching her subject. While this may be wandering off the subject of assessment, to me it perfectly illustrates the importance that this school (and presumably others) gives to a solid understanding of science, and why I am doubting my place within such a system.
One Comment
Be very careful to ask the right questions if you go to look at any private schools. I've worked in a couple of exceptionally good ones, but I've also worked in a terrible one. Don't be fooled by the wonderful facilities and beautiful architecture!