Series CNU/SS - NUFFIELD FOUNDATION SCIENCE TEACHING PROJECT: Secondary Science Education Programme

Key Information

Reference code

CNU/SS

Title

NUFFIELD FOUNDATION SCIENCE TEACHING PROJECT: Secondary Science Education Programme

Date(s)

  • 1965-1974 (Creation)

Level of description

Series

Extent

60 boxes

Scope and content

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.

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.

General Information

Name of creator

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).

Custodial history

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

Conditions governing access

Open, subject to signature of Reader's undertaking form, and appropriate provision of two forms of identification, to include one photographic ID.

Conditions governing reproduction

Copies, subject to the condition of the original, may be supplied from open material for research purposes only.

Requests to publish original material should be submitted to the Archives.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

Finding aids

List available in reading room at King's College London Archives.

Existence and location of originals

Off-campus collection

Please note: We require 7 days notice to retrieve this collection as part, or all of it, is held off-campus. Read more ›

Related materials

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).

Related descriptions

Alternative identifier(s)

Place access points

People and Organisations

Genre access points

Rules and/or conventions used

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000.

Script(s)

Archivist's note

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

Accession area