To:
Sir Peter Vardy
Chairman
Emmanuel College
Consett Road
Lobley Hill
Gateshead
Tyne & Wear NE11 0AN
7 May 2002
THE TEACHING OF SCIENCE AT EMMANUEL COLLEGE
Thank you for your letter of 23 April 2002, addressed to my predecessor Mike Tomlinson, in response to his enquiry of 26 March 2002.
I am happy to accept your assurance about meeting the requirements of the curriculum as they apply to city technology colleges. I am also grateful for the additional information that you have provided about science teaching and, in particular, the theory of evolution.
In response to your query about the inspection of science in schools that are obliged to follow the National Curriculum programmes of study, much depends on which aspects of science are being taught at the time inspectors visit the school. Full inspections provide a thorough evaluation and detailed report on the quality of science education and standards in science. Inspectors certainly look at the effectiveness of teaching SC1, scientific enquiry, but may not necessarily focus on matters regarding the theory of evolution.
I appreciate the trouble you have taken to explain the philosophy and policies of the college as they apply to controversial issues and freedom of debate. I do not feel that I need to pursue this matter further with the college.
Thank you for your help.
DAVID BELL
http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/publications/index.cfm?fuseaction=pubs.displayfile&id=3255&type=pdf
Nav UK Specific - Misrepresentation of Science Curriculum - Examples?