Secondary Science Subject briefing/workshop

SWIFT are delighted to be working with Jo Castelino, experienced teacher and trainer with a Science teaching specialism, to provide termly high quality, research-based training covering key elements of curriculum, and teaching and learning pedagogy. The series supports the development of planning, teaching and assessment to increase confidence in the teaching and learning of the 3 science subjects. Participants are supported to reflect on their current practice, and how to implement future improvements within their own schools.

All sessions include a general overview of the secondary science landscape, including the most up-to-date national and local information on policy, frameworks and initiatives, as well as a key focus area each term, The focus for this term is outlined below:

Session 2 – Spring Term: How to teach Inheritance and Evolution at KS4

Inheritance and Evolution is a notoriously tricky topic to teach at KS4. The number of new keywords students encounter could fill a dictionary on their own, and many struggle to connect these terms into a meaningful story of how traits are passed on and how species change over time. This session unpacks the teaching of genetics and evolutionary biology, exploring why learners often feel overwhelmed by dense terminology, abstract ideas, and the invisible mechanisms that underpin change across generations.

We’ll examine how to build explanations coherently, moving from foundational concepts such as DNA, genes, and chromosomes through to more complex ideas like variation, natural selection, speciation, and evolutionary trees, all firmly aligned with the AQA specification. The session will highlight how to introduce and revisit key terminology in a cohesive way so that students build a connected, resilient understanding rather than a scattered list of definitions.

Drawing on examiner reports and research, we’ll explore common misconceptions and consider strategies to address them. You’ll also be guided through a suggested teaching sequence, with ideas for modelling abstract processes and weaving in retrieval and questioning to strengthen long-term understanding.

Teachers will leave with practical approaches, ready-to-use examples, and a clearer pathway for tackling those “trickiest bits” of inheritance and evolution with confidence.

The session is suitable for all secondary phase teachers and leaders of science.

Target Audience

Secondary Science Teachers and Leaders

Learning Outcomes

Attendees will gain insight into the latest developments in Secondary Science and consider the implication of these for their own settings.

The sessions are designed to support science teachers to:

· Be aware of the national agenda for teaching secondary science

· Reflect on strategies to support the needs of all learners within the classroom

· Identify principles that contribute to effective lesson design in science

· Dedicate focused time to reflect on current practice and plan for continuous improvement for impact on pupil outcomes

Briefing Lead

Jo Castelino

Dr Jo Castelino is an experienced Science teacher and leader. She is author of The Homework Conundrum and has contributed to the Hodder Springboard KS3 resources. She regularly writes about teaching and learning and has spoken at a number of conferences.

Costs

SWIFT members - FREE

Other colleagues - £35

SWIFT Partner providing course is Blackdown Education Partnership.

NB Your school will need to have SWIFT membership for 2025/26 to qualify for the member price.

Please note: Payment is by INVOICE ONLY. Please select invoice as the payment method at check out.

SWIFT Partner providing course (including invoicing) is Blackdown Education Partnership.

You will receive a confirmation of booking from Eventbrite. All further correspondence will come from (becki.mills@sw-ift.org.uk or Tania.cox@sw-ift.org.uk); please ensure you check your junk mail box and approve the email to ensure you receive important event details.

If you are unable to attend on the day, or are sending someone else in your place, please let us know. Please be aware that failure to cancel your space can incur your school a cost.

• More than 21 days to date of event: Full refund available (minus £25 admin fee)

• Between 20-7 days to date of event: 50% refund available (minus £25 admin fee)

• 6 days or less to date of event: No refund available (plus £25 admin fee)

Should a training course recruit insufficient numbers to make it viable, we reserve the right to cancel the course, without penalty, giving minimum notice of 24 hours.

Full Terms and Conditions are available HERE.