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 success.net
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.