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Welcome to the September edition of Primary Science Update. In this edition, you'll find information about: good practice while meeting the Government's guidance for full opening; CLEAPSS advice on delivering practical activities; resources to support remote education; Mayor of London free webinar; Explorify teacher and science leader toolkits; last chance to register for PSQM Round 20; Mayor's London Scientist Teacher Programme; free Reboot the Future wall planner and Practical Action posters; Connecting Classrooms through Global Learning programme; and latest CPD opportunities.
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Has Covid-19 changed good practice in the teaching of science?
Read our blog on whether good practice in the teaching of primary science has changed as a consequence of Covid-19. It highlights some of the key resources that can help you respond to the DfE Guidance for full opening: schools.
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Latest CLEAPSS advice
CLEAPSS have published their latest advice on planning, risk assessing and delivering practical activities while working in a bubble. It states that, “From September 2020, we’re finally returning, as far as possible, to life as usual. One where schools deliver a broad, balanced and full curriculum. For practical subjects like science, D&T and art, this means getting back to doing hands-on activities, investigations and enquiries." To read the advice, visit the CLEAPSS website.
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Resources to support remote education
If your school is affected by a local lock down and some pupils are still in school and others at home, the expectation now is that provision should be in place so that both groups continue to be taught the National Curriculum. There are a number of resources that are freely available that support this.
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Mayor of London webinar on teaching science through maths and English - 4.30pm, 23 September
This free webinar, that we are delivering as part of the Mayor's London Scientist Teacher Programme, will explore how aspects of the science curriculum can be taught through English and maths to create the time to teach all three core subjects while filling the gaps in pupils' learning caused by the Covid-19 lockdown.
It is suitable for all primary teachers and subject leaders and will cover:
- how science can be used as a context for teaching reading, writing, spoken language and mathematics
- the topics from the science curriculum that are well-suited to being taught in this way
- resources that support the teaching of science through English and maths.
To register for the webinar, visit the Eventbrite page.
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Free teacher and science leader toolkits
Wellcome has just launched its free Explorify teacher and science leader toolkits with their tips and downloadable resources that help you make the most of Explorify in your school.
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Last chance to register for PSQM Round 20
If you've been thinking about applying for a Primary Science Quality Mark for your school, there is still time to register your interest for Round 20 which starts in October. The deadline for registering your interest is 14 September.
To register for Round 20, visit the PSQM website. If you're in London and would like to join one of the hubs we run, please mention that when you register.
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Mayor's London Scientist Teacher Programme 2020/21
The Mayor of London is working with the British Science Association, STEM Learning and the Royal Institution to offer the Mayor’s London Scientist Teacher Programme for the third time.
Its aim is to give London pupils positive experiences with hands-on STEM work by getting creative with STEM projects and achieving the nationally-recognised CREST Awards. Alongside this, the programme offers teachers support, CPD, mentoring from a STEM professional, and funding towards materials so that you are best placed to help your pupils succeed.
The benefits of participating in the programme are:
- fully-funded SuperStar, Discovery or Bronze CREST Awards - saving you up to £5 per pupil, with no cap on pupil numbers
- (virtual) mentoring from a STEM Ambassador - you will be matched with a volunteer STEM professional who will provide inspiration, guidance and support with your pupils' STEM projects
- a CREST Awards workshop - you will be invited to a practical, online training session in November on how to run CREST Award projects effectively (one session for primary and one for secondary)
- CPD - you will be offered tickets to high-quality, fully-funded STEM CPD sessions
- small grants - £150 cash contribution towards materials and travel costs to the first 80 schools that register their projects on the CREST Awards website.
If you are interested in participating in the programme, register for the virtual kick-off event on 7 October at 4.30pm.
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Free Reboot the Future wallplanner and Practical Action posters
Reboot the Future have just published their latest classroom wallplanner for 2020-21. It highlights key global dates throughout the year enabling you to plan and access a range of linked activities to celebrate events such as World Food Day. To order the wallplanner, visit their website.
Practical Action has a range of A2 posters that support pupils working on their STEM challenges. They include posters from a range of their projects, including the Squashed Tomato, Wind Power and Regreen the Desert challenges. To download or order their posters, visit their website.
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Learn about global issues through Connecting Classrooms
There’s no better way for pupils to learn about the global issues that affect us all, such as climate change and how to live sustainably, than by working with their peers in another country. Connecting Classrooms is a free programme from the British Council that helps UK-based schools find partner schools in more than 30 countries across Africa, the Middle East and South Asia.
Once you’ve made a connection, the British Council provides a range of support to help you get started and build a strong and sustainable school partnership, including the best online platforms for you to use for your international school collaboration. They can also help you connect with other UK schools via a Connecting Classrooms through Global Learning cluster group. This way you can opt to work together to build links with schools in other countries.
For more information, visit the British Council website.
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CPD opportunities
Information about forthcoming CPD opportunities, that we are delivering, and how to book is available below.
Science subject leader remote meetings
Choose one of the following dates for a valuable opportunity to hear about the latest developments in primary science and to share good practice. All the meetings are in the afternoon, but please confirm precise timings when booking.
- 1 October - London Borough of Wandsworth - To book, click here
- 21 October - North and East London SLP - To book, click here
- 22 October - South London SLP - To book, click here
Developing your primary science curriculum using the Ofsted framework - 5 & 8 October, 3-5pm
This remotely-delivered course will help you use the new Ofsted framework to reinvent your primary science curriculum. On the course, you will discuss key strategies to ensure that the intent, implementation and impact of your science curriculum is evident throughout school. By the end, you will be able to:
- identify and develop a whole-school vision for primary science (intent)
- describe strategies to ensure science is delivered effectively across the school (implementation)
- begin to develop strategies to evaluate pupils success in science (impact).
To book, visit the STEM Learning website.
Back to school: Leading primary science - 6, 13 & 20 October, 11-12.30pm
This remotely-delivered course will support science subject leaders to adjust their long-term curriculum maps to accommodate content pupils may have missed as a result of Covid-19, clearly define the curriculum across the school and effectively support teachers to implement it successfully in the classroom. By the end, you will be able to:
- identify key features of a successful curriculum
- take ownership of the intent of your science curriculum
- prepare your teachers to implement your science curriculum
- successfully carry out the key roles of a science subject leader to ensure successful implementation.
To book, visit the STEM Learning website.
Teaching EYFS Science - 6, 13 & 20 October, 1-2.30pm
This remotely-delivered course will support you to plan and deliver EYFS science. It will explore ways of bringing the EYFS experience to life through practical ideas and discussion tasks. By the end, you will be able to:
- demonstrate good Early Years practice and exploit opportunities for science
- know where your children are and plan for their next steps
- develop the science capital of children in your class by exploiting opportunities in the wider community and working with families.
To book, visit the STEM Learning website.
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