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?
What are the duties/responsibilities of the science
teacher/coordinator?
Does she teach any, all students or just specific year groups?

Responses from the Principal and/or science

coordinator/teacher re: science provision in the
setting.
Yes, there is a science coordinator. Every grade from
K-5 has the science teacher as homeroom teacher,
teaching English, Math, Science.
Set curriculum, oversee lesson, planning, conduct
P.D's, check grade book, lesson observation.
She teach grade 9-12 Biology.

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?

Head of the subject is responsible of that.

(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?

Yes it have it is own website ; Pearson success.net

Teachers can use any other online resources.

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?
4

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, there is a budget for materials.

Is there a budget for materials?
Who trains teachers and staff in the use the equipment?

Lab teacher is responsible to train teachers, and

manage the equipment and materials.

Who manages the equipment and materials?

5

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?

Labs are shared by primary and physics high school

students.

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

equipment and expertise in each classroom?

Lack of space.

Does the setting feel it has enough specialist science

teachers, technicians and dedicated science rooms?

No

Which science resources does the setting feel it needs or

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

More lab resources, space for primary to do

experiments .

e.g. Science Kits, books, wifi, manipulatives/models, digital

cameras/camcorders, lab equipment OR soft materials
(consumables- colored paper, glue, popsicle sticks etc.).
7

10

11

What are the safety rules?

Are the safety rules posted in the science setting?

Yes, in lab.

Who developed these and are they mandatory/enforced?

Developed by teachers, lab teachers, high school

student.

What safety equipment is available and when is it used

commonly?

Labs and classrooms.

Is safety equipment available for all students in the

classrooms?

Yes.

Is equipment cleaned, if so by whom? Who manages this

duty?

Lab teacher.

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?)

No.

Are there weekly planning meetings? What is usually done

in the planning meetings?

Yes, grade level teachers set together to plan lessons.

Who attends the planning meetings?

Teachers are attending.

Yes. TIMMS scores.

Does the school have specific goals related to science

(TIMMS scores etc.)?

How is learning assessed in the science classroom?

Is there an assessment plan for the semester? What does it
include?

Yes, mask distribution/ team.

Do teachers collect student data? What data, when, and

what is it used for?

Yes, data using grade book.

How do students get feedback so that they can make

improvements?

Yes, student have rubrics for each assessment, and

get feedback for it.

What science professional development / training do

teachers currently receive or have recently had?

Head of science.

How frequently and from whom did they /are they receiving
this?

Head of teaching and Learning Pearson Teacher's

training.

Do they have a document that outlines this PD?

Yes, they have.

What PD do they think teachers in the setting still need?