Science is not being given enough priority in primary schools, research shows
Three in 10 primary teachers did not get any support in teaching science, according to a study commissioned by the Wellcome Trust.
As reported by Tes, the study revealed that many UK primary schools are teaching science for less than two hours a week.
In addition, it revealed that barriers to teaching science in primary schools include the fear that children would ask a question that they would not know the answer to; it’s a messy subject; and that it is time-consuming and reliant on heavy facts.
Findings by CFE Research and the University of Manchester also shows that on average, primary schools dedicate an hour and 24 minutes to the teaching of science each week.
The report concluded that across all primary school year groups, 58 per cent did not get two hours of science each week.
The figures are based on two surveys of teachers, including one of staff who led on the subject for their school.
Read moreLatest News
24/04/2026 - 12:32
A survey by Save My Exams has found that 40% of students are regularly disrupted by noise at home.
23/04/2026 - 10:13
A survey of 1,105 teachers reveals many senior leaders reporting cuts to teaching assistants (71%), support staff (49%) and teaching staff (30%).
23/04/2026 - 09:30
A report from the Digital Poverty Alliance show that while digital tools are now embedded across school routines, access and usability remain deeply uneven.
22/04/2026 - 09:28
School food improvement programme Nourish is set to launch in Cumberland in 2026, working with schools to improve the quality and culture of food throughout the school day
21/04/2026 - 07:18
The government has announced a series of new measures aimed at strengthening freedom of speech and academic freedom across universities
