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?
Set curriculum, oversee lesson, planning, conduct
P.D's, check grade book, lesson observation.
Does she teach any, all students or just
specific year groups?
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?
(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?
Head of the subject is responsible of that.
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?
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?
Who manages the equipment and
Yes, there is a budget for materials.
Lab teacher is responsible to train teachers, and
manage the equipment and materials.
materials?
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?
Labs are shared by primary and physics high school
students.
Lack of space.
No
Does the setting feel it has enough
specialist science teachers, technicians
and dedicated science rooms?
6
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
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?
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?)
Yes, in lab.
Developed by teachers, lab teachers, high s
student.
Labs and classrooms.
Yes.
Lab teacher.
No.
Yes, grade level teachers set together to pla
Teachers are attending.
Are there weekly planning meetings?
What is usually done in the planning
meetings?
Yes. TIMMS scores.
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?
Do teachers collect student data?
What data, when, and what is it used
for?
1
1
How do students get feedback so that
they can make improvements?
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, mask distribution/ team.
Yes, data using grade book.
Yes, student have rubrics for each assessme
feedback for it.
Head of science.
Head of teaching and Learning Pearson Teac
training.
Yes, they have.
