What is science? What is good science education? How can science be intelligently linked to the wider primary curriculum?

Becoming a confident and informed teacher of primary science requires a strong understanding of the key practical, conceptual and pedagogical issues that underpin science education in the primary school. Touching on current curriculum concerns and the wider challenges of developing good practice in science education Primary Science provides an indispensable overview of important areas of teaching every aspiring primary school teacher needs to understand.

Written directly for initial teacher education students this textbook supports classroom practice and provides a broad survey of key aspects of primary science teaching including the role of science in the curriculum, communication and literacy in science teaching, science outside the classroom, transitional issues and assessment.

This is essential reading for all students studying primary science on primary initial teacher education courses, including undergraduate (BEd, BA with QTS), postgraduate (PGCE, SCITT), and employment-based routes into teaching, and also NQTs.

Mick Dunne is Head of Initial Teacher Training at Bradford College

Alan Peacock is Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Exeter