Welcome to the December edition of Primary Science Update. In this edition, you'll find information about: sequencing science topics; Wellcome research into the state of primary science education; opportunities at the ASE Annual Conference; a D&T network opportunity; bursaries for Teach Computing courses; workshops for students from Linnean Learning; the teaser pack for British Science Week; awards, prizes and grants from Rolls-Royce and the Royal Society; and the latest CPD.
We wish you all a restful and enjoyable Christmas and New Year.
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Sequencing science topics
The National Curriculum in England: science programmes of study has progression across the year groups built into it. However, the order of the topics within each year group is not intended to indicate the sequence in which they are meant to be taught. Consequently, it is important that schools consider the sequence in which topics and their related statements are taught within each year. To help with this, we have produced a document that offers some suggestions on how to develop an appropriate sequence for each year group.
Download the document from our website.
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Follow-up report to Wellcome's 2017 ‘State of the Nation report of UK primary science education’ published
The report's findings are based on data from just over 1,400 science leaders and teachers, mostly (93%) from England. Comparing 2019 data with 2017, there are no significant changes to science leadership and teaching time:
- 54% of the science leaders have undertaken CPD in the past year to help them lead science
- 49% of the science leaders have release time for their role
- average teaching time for teaching science is around 1 hour and 30 minutes a week.
The data suggest that 51% of science leaders do not have provision to meet the requirements of primary science subject leadership.
Half of the respondents came from schools that had someone registered to use Explorify to allow Wellcome to understand if it is supporting better science teaching. To date, 67% of primary schools in England have at least one teacher registered to use Explorify (61% throughout the UK) and the data indicate that as a result of using Explorify:
- pupils improve their use of science vocabulary
- pupils improve science knowledge
- teachers feel more confident teaching science
- 50% of teachers report increasing the amount of time they teach science
- 30% of teachers have looked for or undertaken science CPD.
The full report is available to download from the Wellcome website. If you aren't already using Exlorify, check out this wonderful, free online resources for teaching science.
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If you are attending, or thinking of attending, this year's Association for Science Education (ASE) Annual Conference and have a primary science top tip or inspiring resource you'd like to share with teachers and the wider primary science community, then the Primary Science Teach Meet and the Primary Science Pop-Up are the places to do that.
Call for presenters for Primary Science Teach Meet - 11 January, 12-1.30pm
Presenters at the Teach Meet have two minutes to present their tip or resource, which must be available free of charge, and can use only one slide to illustrate what they say. As in previous years, Wellcome are generously providing a superb lunch for everyone who attends, so you'll have a good audience.
If you'd like to present at the Teach Meet, contact ASE. You do not need to commit to a subject yet, unless you want to. You’ll be contacted after Christmas with a reminder and a request for that information.
Call for exhibitors for Primary Science Pop-Up - 10 January, 1.45–2.45pm
Exhibitors at the Pop-Up should display tried and tested ideas or resources that are inspiring, thought-provoking and something teachers may not have seen before, which they can can replicate in their own schools. Whatever is displayed must be free of charge, should take no longer than 5-10 minutes to set up, and fit on a 40cm x 80cm table top.
If you'd like to exhibit at the Pop-Up, contact ASE.
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D&T network meeting
We're conscious that many schools are reviewing their curricula, in the light of the changes to the OFSTED inspection framework, and are thinking hard about D&T. As a consequence, we're considering arranging a free D&T network meeting in north London to share best practice and explore what support schools are looking for. If you think your D&T subject leader would be interested in attending a meeting, please share this information with them and ask them to contact us to express an interest.
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All state-funded primary schools eligible for bursaries for Teach Computing courses
The bursaries available for Teach Computing primary courses will change from 1 January 2020. All state-funded primary schools, regardless of their location in England, will be eligible for bursaries which will be increased to £220 per day. One teacher from each school will be eligible to attend, free of charge, one of the Teach Computing primary courses and the bursary is payable to the school on successful completion of the course.
For more information, contact your local Computing Hub.
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Linnean Learning's Biomedia Meltdown Competition 2019-20
If you're a Greater London teacher working with pupils aged 10-14, the BioMedia Meltdown Competition is an opportunity to access a free, integrated art/science workshop. These STEAM workshops bring natural history to life through cross-curricular learning, using the latest technology alongside traditional and new media techniques.
The work that is produced at the workshops is entered into the Competition, with finalists and their families invited to Burlington House for a celebration event where contestants are eligible for a range of prizes. It is also possible to enter individual entries to the Competition.
The deadline for submissions is 15 March 2020. For more information about the Competition and to book a workshop, email the Linnean Society.
Where Science Meets Art video series
The video above from Linnean Learning is part of a series which explores the overlapping worlds of art and science. Katrina van Grouw, a self-taught scientist with a passion for evolutionary biology and its history, uses her illustrations of bird skeletons as a tool to understand evolution. The beautiful environments featured in the videos were created using artwork produced by London students during the Biomedia Meltdown Competition 2018-19 workshops.
To watch the other videos in the series, visit the Linnean Society website.
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British Science Week short teaser pack of activities and ideas available
Preview packs to help you prepare for British Science Week are now available to download. They contains two activities, poster competition information and an array of resources and ideas you can use for the Week. The full pack with even more activities will be published in January 2020.
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Do you know a teacher who is inspiring young engineers?
The David Clark Prize seeks to reward exceptional teachers who have gone the extra mile in inspiring young people to consider engineering as a profession and career. There are two prizes, one for teachers working in primary schools and another for teachers in secondary schools, colleges or UTCs. Each prize includes a £3,000 personal award for the prize winner (with no restrictions on use) and a further £5,000 for the school to be used to further promote engineering within the school. It is envisaged that the prize winner will help determine how the funds should be spent. The prize winner will also become a fellow of the ERA Foundation.
If you know a teacher who has gone above and beyond what is required in the teaching syllabus, with a strong track record of showcasing real-world engineering to students such as running a STEM Club using CREST Awards, take a look at the assessment criteria.
To nominate a teacher, download the application form, complete it and email it to STEM Learning. The deadline for nominations is 5pm on the 24 January 2020.
Funding for CREST Awards for underrepresented audiences
If you are interested in using CREST Awards to enrich your STEM curriculum, work with pupils who are underrepresented in STEM careers, but struggle with resources, the British Science Association's second round of CREST Awards funding for underrepresented audiences is now open.
For more information, visit the CREST Awards website.
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Rolls-Royce Schools Prize for Science & Technology
The Rolls-Royce Schools Prize for Science & Technology is an annual awards programme that helps teachers increase science, mathematics, and technology engagement in their schools and colleges. It is open to all schools and colleges in the UK.
To enter, submit an application outlining an idea for a sustainable science, mathematics or technology initiative, specific to your school, that you would deliver between September 2020 and June 2021. Each year up to 50 schools are awarded a £1,000 Special Merit Award for STEM teaching in school. Special Merit Award winners are automatically entered into the finalist short-list and get a chance to win the coveted Rolls-Royce Schools Prize for Science & Technology.
Judging for Special Merit Awards is done on a half termly basis, so submit your application as soon as you’re ready. The final deadline for entries is 11 April 2020.
For more information, visit the STEM Learning website.
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The Royal Society's Partnership Grants
This scheme offers schools up to £3,000 to run an investigative project and the next round of funding will open in February 2020, so now is a great time to start thinking about your ideas and finding a STEM partner.
If you are interested in applying, why not read their blog about the next round which provides some valuable advice on things you need to consider in developing your project.
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Continuing profession development opportunities
There are a number of subject leader meetings and other courses taking place over the next few weeks and months that we are contributing to. They are set out below with the links for further information and how to book your place.
Subject leader meetings
These meetings provide updates on local and national events and initiatives, opportunities to network with other subject leaders, and CPD based around identified needs.
We will be delivering subject leader meetings on the dates and in the venues set out in the table below. Only book on to one meeting as the content is repeated in different venues. Click on the links in the table to book your place.
| Date |
Organised by |
Location |
Click to book |
| 16 Jan 20 |
Wandsworth Council |
Wandsworth PDC |
To book, click here. |
| 23 Jan 20 |
STEM Learning |
St Anne's Catholic Primary School |
To book, click here. |
| 29 Jan 20 |
STEM Learning |
Osidge Primary School, Barnet (Part of Alexandra Park provision) |
To book, click here. |
| 3 Feb 20 |
STEM Learning |
Parkhill Primary School, Redbridge |
To book, click here. |
| 10 Feb 20 |
STEM Learning |
Tollgate Primary School |
To book, click here. |
Other CPD courses
Click on the links in the table below to book your place.
| Date |
Title |
Organised by |
Location |
Click to book |
| 20 Jan 20 |
Literacy & Maths in Science |
STEM Learning |
George Abbott, Surrey |
To book, click here. |
| 30 Jan 20 |
Assessment and Progression in Primary Science |
STEM Learning |
Davidson Primary Academy, Dartnell Road, Croydon CR0 6JA |
To book, click here. |
| 31 Jan 20 |
Working scientifically |
STEM Learning |
Kingston University |
To book, click here. |
| 5 Feb 20 |
Effective Science Assessment |
GROW Education Partners |
London Diocesan House, 36 Causton Street, London, SW1P 4AU |
To book, click here. |
| 26 Feb 20 |
Creating a buzz through science investigations |
STEM Learning |
Haggerston School, Weymouth Terrace, Hackney, London E2 8LS |
To book, click here. |
| 12 Mar 20 |
Working scientifically |
GROW Education Partners |
London Diocesan House, 36 Causton Street, London, SW1P 4AU |
To book, click here. |
| 27 Mar 20 |
Assessment |
STEM Learning |
Burntwood School |
To book, click here. |
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