The impact of the national curriculum on secondary school science teachingin England and Wales

This paper uses questionnaire data to examine the impact of the national cu rriculum on secondary school science teachers' work in England and Wales. W hile many of the changes might have been anticipated, others are surprising and a cause for concern. The evidence suggests that, in a significant numb er of schools, less time is being spent upon practical activities in the la boratory and pupils are presented with a narrower range of laboratory activ ities. In addition, a substantial proportion of teachers judge national cur riculum science to be insufficiently flexible to allow them to meet the nee ds of all their pupils and provide them with an enjoyable scientific educat ion.