The current paper investigates the effects of continuing professional development (CPD) on teachers' and pupils' experiences of learning and teaching science in primary classrooms. The data indicated differences in participating teachers' views of the purposes of CPD which were reflected in their ideal and real views of effective science teaching. As a result, reconciliation of ideal and real views of effective science teaching, identification of potential constraints and development of strategies for overcoming constraints in context are suggested as useful starting points for CPD.