7: 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?

Responses from the Principal

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

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)

Mentoring, assigning,
managing, and doing
experiments.
She only teach grade 1 and
she is coordinator of science.
She did the lesson plan but
she takes the materials from
science coordinator. But the
schedule she take it from
administration

National curriculum in the UK

She cant take a copy.

Yes /
http://www.gemswestminsters
chool-rak.com

Yes/ the teachers use

education city of science
learning materials.

Education city - YouTube

Google.
Computer, smart board, iPad
and data show.

Yes budget is minimal.

Teachers go for a workshop.

 Is there a budget for materials?

Lab technicians.

The science labs are primarily

used by the secondary.
It could always be better.

Who trains teachers and staff in the use

the equipment?
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?

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

need? Enough science equipment and
expertise in each classroom?

Does the setting feel it has enough

specialist science teachers, technicians
and dedicated science rooms?
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 (consumablescolored paper, glue, popsicle sticks
etc.).
What are the safety rules?
Are the safety rules posted in the
science setting?
Who developed these and are they
mandatory/enforced?

Books
Digital camera
Lab equipment Models
Science kits

Yes in the lab technicians

Wear safety goggles, lab coat
and gloves
Do not eat in the laboratory
Be careful when using sharp
tools
Dont touch any things without
a permit
Back the tools that you use in
the appropriate place.
Follow the direction of your
teacher

Wash your hands

What safety equipment is available

and when is it used commonly?

From the ministry and

administration.

Yes
Yes by the lab assistant.

We follow the UK National

Curriculum of 2014 via
parsons.
They have weekly planning for
all teacher should the attend
it.
Yes they have goals for
teacher and for students. And,
the should reach all goals by
ending of semester.

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?

1
0

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?

They have assessment for

every day.
The teacher collect the data
by putting the result in excel
program.

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?
1
1

What science professional

development / training do teachers

- The students take the direct

feedback with parents and some
times sent a notes by email or
letters
- Once a week.
-

currently receive or have recently

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

The publishers the text

science books which used by
the learners conduct PD at the
beginning of the year.

Do they have a document that outlines

this PD?

Provided E-learning training.

What PD do they think teachers in the

setting still need?

Internet PD by principal.

STEAM training (need by

teachers)
Implementing technology on
teaching science.