What are the benefits of an inquiry-based science curriculum approach for students with SEND?
Written by: Amy Hockey and Donna Dawkins
8 min read
AMY HOCKEY, SCIENCE LEAD AND SEND TEACHER, SPECIAL SCHOOL, MIDLANDS, UK
DONNA DAWKINS, PROFESSOR IN SECONDARY SCIENCE (BIOLOGY) TEACHER EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM, UK
Introduction
This practitioner research highlights the scientific and wider skills developed through an inquiry-based science curriculum for students with moderate and severe learning difficulties. The case study school used the British Science Association CREST Awards (BSA, 2018), which employ an inquiry-based approach to science learning and the development of scientific literacy. This research explores student and teacher perspectives and considers the impact on student outcomes for both science subject knowledge and life skills for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Science curriculum provision in a special school
All students in England and Wales have an entitlement to the National Curriculum. The SEND code of practice (DfE and DHSC
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