An investigation into teacher competency and teacher expertise in five primary schools was undertaken by questionnaire and interview with 50 staff and five headteachers. Following a comparative review of all curriculum areas, two subjects are identified as giving serious cause for concern--music and science, and these are given more detailed reporting. The data are compared with other research reports and the conclusion drawn that this investigation reinforces and extends existing literature on the limitations of teacher competency in primary schools. By a more flexible use of teacher expertise it is possible and indeed necessary and desirable, to use teachers in a specialist capacity to cover gaps in class teacher knowledge skills and interests.
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