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.
Responses from 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?
Yes, there is a science coordinator.
Every grade from K-5 has the
science teacher as homeroom
teacher, teaching English, Math,
Science.
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?)
Set curriculum, oversee lesson,
planning, conduct P.D's, check grade
book, lesson observation.
She teach grade 9-12 Biology.
Head of the subject is responsible of
that.
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?
Yes it have it is own website ;
Pearson [Link]
Teachers can use any other online
resources.
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)
Is there a budget for materials?
Who trains teachers and staff in the use the
equipment?
Yes, there is a budget for materials.
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.
Lack of space.
If no, why not? e.g. lack of funds? No need?
Enough science equipment and expertise in
each classroom?
No
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?
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
What are the safety rules?
Are the safety rules posted in the science
setting?
Who developed these and are they
mandatory/enforced?
What safety equipment is available and
when is it used commonly?
Developed by teachers, lab
teachers, high school student.
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?
No.
Does the MOE/Zone/KHDA provide unit
plans/lesson plans? (can we obtain a copy of
this?)
Yes, grade level teachers set
together to plan lessons.
Are there weekly planning meetings? What is
usually done in the planning meetings?
Teachers are attending.
Who attends the planning meetings?
1
0
Yes, in lab.
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?
How do students get feedback so that they can
make improvements?
1
1
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?
Yes, data using grade book.
Yes, student have rubrics for each
assessment, and get feedback for it.
Head of science.
Head of teaching and Learning
Pearson Teacher's training.
Yes, they have.