Research evidence, policy and practice: reflections on the Ofsted research review on science

The first of Ofsted’s research reviews focused on science education. It is broad in scope including content on school systems, the science curriculum, teaching, learning, assessment, and materials – with implications for practice. However, the review’s scope doesn’t provide much detail of the research on which it is based. I agree with many of the implications for practice which reflect directions of travel in the curriculum and pedagogy over the last 20 years or so. However, there will be tensions in implementing the findings given the climate of prioritising ideology over evidence in setting the conditions for teachers’ practice in schools.