Nuffield Foundation Science Teaching Project Secondary Science Education Programme

Identity Statement

Reference code(s)	: GB 0100 KCLCA CNU/SS
Held at	: King's College London College Archives   Click here to find out how to view this collection at http://www.kcl.ac.uk/library/archivespec/ ›
Full title	: Nuffield Foundation Science Teaching Project Secondary Science Education Programme
Date(s)	: 1965-1974
Level of description	: Sub-fonds of Nuffield Foundation Science Teaching Project View parent record
Extent	: 60 boxes
Name of creator(s)	: Chelsea College | Nuffield Foundation Science Teaching Project | Secondary Science Section
Detailed catalogue	: Click here to view repository detailed catalogue

Context

Administrative/Biographical history:

The Secondary Science Section of the Nuffield Foundation Science Teaching Project was concerned with the preparation of material for pupils in secondary schools aged between 13 and 16 who were unlikely to be entered for O-level papers in science. The work was based on the ideas of the Schools Council Working Paper Number I. The scheme was built around eight major themes: the interdependence of living things; the continuity of life; the biology of man; harnessing energy; extension of sense perception; movement; using materials; and the earth and its place in the universe. Each theme consisted of several 'fields' of study, and teachers were encouraged to choose their own 'routes' to determine the emphasis and timetabling of each theme. In the spring term of 1966 a small-scale feasibility trial was conducted in 15 schools, with emphasis on the suitability of pupils' material. Full-scale development trials started in 53 schools in September 1967. The organiser of the Secondary Science course was Hilda Misselbrook, assisted by Mr L G Smith as consultant and two observers, Dr J K Brierley and Mr T R Jenkyn (both Her Majesty's Inspectors of Schools).

Content

Scope and content/abstract:

Records, 1965-1974, of the Secondary Science Education Programme of the Nuffield Foundation Science Teaching Project, comprising general papers, 1965-1973, including correspondence, papers on meetings of the Secondary Science consultative committee, papers on the launch of the project, lists of schools participating, and enquiries; correspondence files of Hilda Misselbrook with individuals concerned with compilation of course materials, 1965-1974; papers on conferences, training courses and meetings for teachers, lecturers, school inspectors and others, 1965-1973; examination answer papers from two schools, 1969-1971; papers relating to apparatus, film loops and publishers, 1965-1974; correspondence with schools, including teachers' comments on the course, 1966-1973; papers relating to course themes, trials and evaluation, including questionnares, comments and reports, 1965-1972; final rewrite files on various subject fields and themes, including comments and additions, 1969; feedback and information from teachers on themes and fields, with comments including ability of pupils, apparatus, and level of difficulty of subjects, 1967-1968.

Access & Use

Language/scripts of material:
English

System of arrangement:

The papers are arranged in series: general papers including correspondence; correspondence files of Mrs Misselbrook with individuals concerned with compilation of course materials; conferences, training courses and meetings; examinations; papers relating to apparatus, film loops and publishers; correspondence with schools, including teachers' comments on the course; papers relating to course themes and trials, including questionnaires; final rewrite files; feedback and information from teachers; additional correspondence files of Hilda Misselbrook; additional papers relating to courses and conferences.

Conditions governing access:

Open, subject to signature of reader's undertaking form.

Conditions governing reproduction:

Photocopies, subject to the condition of the original, may be supplied for research use only. Requests to publish original material should be submitted to the Director of Archive Services, King's College London.

Finding aids:

This summary guide and detailed catalogue online and available in reading room at King's College London Archives.

Archival Information

Archival history:

Immediate source of acquisition:

The records were transferred to King's College London Archives from the Nuffield Foundation Science Teaching Project at Chelsea College.

Allied Materials

Related material:

King's College London Archives holds the records of the Nuffield Foundation Science Teaching Project (NFSTP), 1949-1993 (Ref: CNU), the other sub-fonds comprising general papers, 1961-1974 (Ref: CNU/STP); the Junior Science Project, 1960-1974 (Ref: CNU/JSP); the Combined Science Project, 1964-1970 (Ref: CNU/CSP); A-level in Physical Sciences, 1955-1974 (Ref: CNU/ALPS); Physics A- and O-level, 1963-1972 (Ref: CNU/PAL, CNU/POL); Chemistry O-level, 1962-1974 (Ref: CNU/COL); Chemistry A-level, 1962-1974 (Ref: CNU/CAL); Biology O-level, 1962-c1973 (Ref: CNU/BOL); Biology A-level, 1963-1972 (Ref: CNU/BAL); records relating to publications, also including material on NFSTP administration, 1949-1992 (Ref: CNU/PBN); published texts, 1960-1993 (Ref: CNU/TEXT); film loops and accompanying teaching notes, 1966-1978 (Ref: CNU/BOL/FL, CNU/COL/FL, CNU/BAL/FL, CNU/CAL/FL, CNU/PAL/FL, CNU/SS/FL, CNU/CSP/FL). It also holds records of the Schools Council Integrated Science Project (based, like the NFSTP, at Chelsea College and inspired by the Nuffield Combined Science Scheme), 1968-1984 (Ref: C/SCISP, C/SC, C/SCPT, C/SCI5-13).

Publication note:

Description Notes

Archivist's note:
Compiled by Rachel Kemsley as part of the RSLP AIM25 project. Source: list at King's College London Archives.

Rules or conventions:
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Date(s) of descriptions:
Feb 2001, revised Mar 2001