Secondary Courses
Our professional development opportunities for Secondary Schools are hosted across the county and are tailored to the current needs and trends in science education at the moment. Below is a list of upcoming events, but if you're unable to see what you're after please browse the course catalogue or consider getting in touch so that we can work with you to provide a more bespoke package of support.
Summer Term 2023
Course Code: RN208 C09 Session Date:
If you have been asked to teach physics and it is outside your specialist area, this course is for you.
It has been developed with the Institute of Physics and throughout the course we will develop your understanding of the principles of physics and the skills and strategies needed to teach the subject effectively and improve student motivation and attainment. This, in turn, will increase take-up of physics at GCSE, A level and beyond.
Course Code: RX047 / NC01 Session Date:
Effective practical demonstration involves more than is more than just showing students a particular experiment. You will consider how to set the practical up, where to position students, how to keep their focus during the demonstration and how to assess the learning intentions. It is intended for early career teachers and will discuss a range of possible demonstrations and how to ensure that these have maximum impact on student learning. You will understand the principles of good demonstrations and how to apply these to all disciplines and phases.
Course Code: RN298 / C23 Session Date:
We can support you in identifying the CPD support that you need, provide CPD activity directly from our programme of courses, or work with you to tailor the content to meet your requirements.
Course Code: RN358 / C01 Session Date: The Gatsby Good Practical Science report is the starting point for this course as schools return to embedding hands-on practical science into their curriculum delivery. You will develop tools and strategies to ensure that practical work that you incorporate into your teaching / curriculum is purposeful and builds on prior learning. You will also consider the importance of apparatus and techniques and working scientifically and you will reflect on your coverage of these areas in your own curriculum. You will look at some required practicals and plan progression through the curriculum from the perspective of both substantive and disciplinary knowledge that is required to be developed for the practical to be completed successfully. There will also be consideration of the demands of some practical activities and strategies that can be introduced to reduce the cognitive load of the task. Finally you will consider the facilities and technical support that is required for effective practical science. You will reflect on your own setting and share ideas and good practice about issues you may have with lab space and facilities. The course is suitable for early career and established teachers as well as subject leaders. There will be some differentiation of tasks during the course depending upon your role.
Course Code: FD104 / NC06 Session Date:
This course looks at what can help make science CPD as effective as possible, with some practical guidance for science staff. It starts by exploring what the evidence suggests and then looks at how this can be put into practice. The whole process of running a course is considered: starting at the planning phase as outcomes are written; examining the sort of activities (including assessment) that could be part of the CPD itself; and finishing with techniques to support participants post-course. It will also examine why and how we should be involving science practical work in our science CPD, and what we can do to improve engagement from all staff.
Course Code: RN206 / C03 Session Date:
Working with an experienced science leader, you will develop your vision and leadership skills to enable you to lead an effective and vibrant science team. By improving your leadership and management skills you will help your team teach more effectively so students achieve their potential.
Physics for non-specialists
Physics for non-specialists
Facilitator Name: Phil Lynch
Colyton Gramma School - 25th May 2023: 09:30 - 16:00 The art of science demos; How to get the best from practical demonstrations
The art of science demos; How to get the best from practical demonstrations
Facilitator Name: Heidi Foxford
Marine Futures Event: Teacher CPD Session - (INVITE ONLY)
Marine Futures Event: Teacher CPD Session - (INVITE ONLY)
Facilitator Name: To Be Confirmed
Petroc - 22nd June 2023: 16:00 - 17:30 Maximising learning in practical science (invitation only)
Maximising learning in practical science (invitation only)
Facilitator Name: Edmund Walsh
Teign School - 22nd June 2023: 09:30 - 17:00 Facilitating effective professional development in science
Facilitating effective professional development in science
Facilitator Name: Nik Rorke
All Saints Church of England Academy - 22nd June 2023: 09:00 - 13:00 Essential skills for new and aspiring secondary science leadership
Essential skills for new and aspiring secondary science leadership
Facilitator Name: Ed Walsh
Teign School - 26th June 2023: 09:30 - 16:00