LeiPriSci PSTT Cluster

Winner: 2022 Team Prize for Excellence in Primary Education

Sandfield Close Primary School, Mayflower Primary School, Stokes Wood Primary School, Slater Primary School, St Mary's Fields Primary School, Rushey Mead Primary School, Glebelands Primary School, Inglehurst Junior School, Christ the King Catholic Voluntary Academy

For a collaborative and supportive approach to improve teaching and learning of primary science across 9 primary schools, including practical science, raising science capital and championing diverse scientific role models.

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The Leicester Primary Science Teaching Trust Cluster are an enthusiastic team of primary science leads from Leicester, working together to improve the science in their schools.

Representing a range of schools from across the city, the team have worked together, as a cluster, to improve the profile of science in their schools and their own skills as subject leaders. They have ensured that science curriculums are innovative, relevant and inclusive, making their pupils firmly believe that they can become the chemists of the future.

The team have ensured that pupils are able to work practically in small groups, discussing their work, practicing and using key vocabulary and increasing their understanding of what and why things can change. Pupils are made aware of the variety of careers that need an understanding of science and chemistry. They also know more about scientists past and present. Through encouraging STEM ambassadors into schools, students see role models that have similar accents or look like them, meaning that they feel that a career in chemistry is open to them.

The Leicester Primary Science Teaching Trust Cluster science leads came together in 2017 to work collaboratively to improve the science teaching in their schools.

They have promoted a love of practical science, impressed the need for understanding and using key vocabulary, and have ensured that their pupils are taught about scientists that reflect the different cultures in their schools. They have shared ideas and resources that have enabled pupils to learn more and become curious about science in the real world.

Linking science to the real world, making it relevant and making children aware of scientists around the country that are similar to them is vital to them seeing themselves as lifelong learners.

The team

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Reena Chandarana, Assistant Head Teacher, Mayflower Primary School
Sarah Eames, Science and Environment Lead / KS2 Teacher, Sandfield Close Primary School
Jessica Edmonds, Science Lead / Year 2 teacher, Slater Primary School
Mustaq Fodjar, Science Lead / KS2 Teacher, Rushey Mead Primary School
Emma Gilding, Science Lead / KS2 teacher, Christ the King Catholic Voluntary Academy
Rachel Hobson, Science Lead / KS1 teacher, Glebelands Primary School
Bhavesh Patel, Assistant Head / Science / Assessment and Year 6 Lead, Stokes Wood Primary School

Q&A

Sarah Eames, Sandfield Close Primary School

What motivates you?

I am motivated by the teachers around me, they all want the children to love and enjoy their science lessons. I particularly want teachers to have the confidence to teach a practical science lesson, enjoy it and want to teach more science.

What are the qualities that make your team special?

Teachers are all very busy people, they all want to do their very best in the classroom for all their pupils. Our team is special because all the members have not only given up their time to attend meetings but have then passed on the information and ideas to other teachers. We have been enthusiastic, supported each other, shared success stories and given words of wisdom and advice when we have a question, problem or lesson objective that seems difficult to teach. Our shared goal of improving science in our schools has kept us going, we are not sure it will be ever be reached but that is the challenge that keeps us going. We are a diverse group and our strength comes from sharing our ideas and ensuring there is a fun element whenever we meet.

Why is chemistry important?

In our primary curriculum chemistry starts at an early age. Looking at natural materials in the environment around us starts us thinking about the world around us; this leads onto learning about materials and their properties, and investigating how they feel, react and can change. Looking at rocks, fossils and soils plus the water cycle not only broadens knowledge and understanding but promotes many 'working scientifically' skills and allows the children to become more independent in planning their enquiries and research. From the clothes we wear, to the foods we eat, to the houses we live in, it makes chemistry immediately relevant. Problem solving and finding solutions to problems is at the heart of chemistry and making the children realise this is essential.

What has been a highlight for you (either personally or in your career)?

Being able to work as a team is our highlight. Knowing that we have inspired other teachers and children to enjoy science lessons, become more confident, more relevant and curious in the future, means we are enthused to do more.

What has been a challenge for you (either personally or in your career)?

Teaching as a career has many challenges but as a team we all know how important science in the primary curriculum is, so we want to ensure that it is being taught enthusiastically with relevance.

How can good science education support solving global challenges?

Our next venture is to try and incorporate the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals into our science teaching, and we believe that having good problem solving skills is vital to this. We have already begun this and hope to see an impact in the next few years.

How are the chemical sciences making the world a better place?

Making teachers and children aware of the chemistry around them is the first step: What are you wearing? What did you eat? How did you make sure you got to school? What happens when you are ill? There are so many questions that link to chemistry in our lives and we all want to make the world a better place for ourselves, our families, our communities and the world.

Why do you think teamwork is important in science?

Teaching in a classroom is more often than not solo; finding like-minded people is essential to keep you motivated and excited about teaching.

For a bit of fun....What is your favourite element?

Copernicium – it's named after Copernicus but is a gas at room temperature! Weird!

Jessica Edmonds, Slater Primary School

Who or what inspires you?

I am inspired by the children I teach every day. I just love the reaction of the children when they have those 'lightbulb' moments and just get it!

Reena Chandarana, Mayflower Primary School

How did you first become interested in chemistry or science?

Science is a subject I have always been interested in; teaching science to primary-aged children has made me love it more. Linking science to the real world, making it relevant and making children aware of scientists around the country that are similar to them is vital to them seeing themselves as lifelong learners.