This article reports on the findings of a small-scale investigation into the views of children on potential changes to the playground in a large primary school. As a parent, midday supervisor and member of the school Grounds Development Committee I was interested in how views gathered to underpin change to the playground of one school might fit…

This research examines the effects of the Horsham Greenpower Goblin Challenge (HGGC), a hands-on science, engineering and technology (SET) project, on the attitudes of Year 5, primary-school children towards SET. The data collection centred on pre- and post-HGGC questionnaires using Likert scales and picture/word images of scientists and…

This article uses some survey findings to provide a perspective on how junior and infant school teachers view their teaching and their responsibilities in light of issues raised by the Great Debate: a mandated core curriculum, curriculum content, accountability, teacher competence, and the future of primary education. (Author/SJL)

This paper considers pedagogy and outdoor play in the early years. The particular focus is on the specific features and benefits of outdoor play in the Foundation Stage (England) and Foundation Phase (Wales). The paper will draw on current international literature and evidence from outdoor learning constructed in an ongoing research project in two…

Considerable literature has been written over the last decade which indicates that the National Curriculum for Physical Education in England and Wales is being delivered ineffectively in primary schools. This paper discusses the key issues currently faced within primary PE and identifies why within Physical Education, primary matters appear to be…

Managers in 281 schools of all types in 20 LEAs in England completed a survey about teacher absence and its causes. This paper reports reasons for teachers' long-term absences in those schools, examining the link between age and ability to report for work. Head teachers' views on the impact of school stress on teacher attendance are also explored.…

Teachers who want to involve their pupils in classroom drama need to be aware of the necessary conditions for dramatic engagement. In this article we seek to identify four conditions for the preparation of successful drama, and support our argument with reference to Shakespearean drama. The conditions are identified as: agreement by the…

At Key Stages one and two, citizenship education is described in terms of non-statutory guidelines along with personal, social and health education. Whilst PSHE and citizenship are no doubt linked, they are not synonymous. Citizenship is concerned with thought and debate in the public arena, and as such has identifiable underpinning discourses.…

The aim of this research is to examine how social learning is connected to the acquisition of knowledge and abilities. One hundred and nineteen "A" grade students (60 boys and 59 girls) attending public primary school participated. The collection of data was carried out according to: (1) the "Athina" Test (AT) and (2) teachers'…

Described is a science program for students in grades 3 and 4. Because there is only one hour per week set aside for science instruction, an attempt has been made to incorporate science into other subject areas. (KC)

This paper is based on findings from the authors' PhD thesis looking at the role of Subject Leadership in primary schools. The study reports data collected from 20 subject leaders in 10 schools within 2 Local Education Authorities and sets the role of the subject leader within the context of a primary school, highlighting the varied complexities…

Citizenship education (CE) is a recent innovation within the National Curriculum in England, key aspects of which have a clear relevance to the "Every Child Matters" (ECM) agenda. Both CE and ECM strongly articulate a commitment to democratic principles and express a concern over children's perspectives being taken into account in order…

This article tries to provide both a justification for primary science and an introduction to the kind of science which can be fostered by nonspecialist class teachers in primary schools. (KC)

The author describes the views of Stewart Redman on teaching science to children. Four main ideas are advanced--energy, structure, chance, and life. He believes that science education for young children can help the child to make sense out of the world around him. (KC)

The author appraises the first report--on primary maths--of the APU primary survey unit which was designed as an assessment of sample selected age groups in primary and secondary schools to provide a general picture of performance. (Author/KC)