Science in Singapore Norfolk learners in action
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he Saturday of February half term saw nine teachers from Attleborough, Marshland, Stalham, Diss, Hobart and Wayland High Schools and Thetford Academy, led by Science Adviser Adrian Tebbutt, set off on the fourteen hour flight to Singapore. The week-long visit, sponsored by the British Council, had the primary objective of examining the science curriculum and provision in Singapore and to further improve student engagement, motivation and performance at GCSE and A level in Norfolk.
Education budget is the second largest in the country, only exceeded by defence. Science performance in Singapore is consistently at the top of the PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) and TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science sTUDY) league tables and is frequently cited as exemplifying good practice, so the party, after a night to recover from jet lag, began the busy programme with a visit to the Ministry for Education.
Schools are rebuilt or completely refurbished every 10-15 years. What was immediately apparent was the importance placed on education, and science education in particular, in Singapore. The vision for science education shared with us at the Minsitry was mirrored throughout our stay – the schools visited, and the teachers in those schools, all shared the same views, approaches and aspirations.
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Norfolk Integrated Education Advisory Services -