Science Influencers

• PSTT fellow
• Ogden Trust Stoke North Partnership lead
• Headteacher at Moorpark Junior School, Stoke-on-Trent. CEO of The New Guild Trust, Stoke-on-Trent.
• Karen says: Primary Science : Every child’s right to the richest learning gateway of awe and wonder of this world and beyond. True mental wealth J

Karen’s Top Tip for teachers: https://pstt.org.uk/

• SLP accredited facilitator
• Local TAPS Champion
• KS2, Science lead at Hillside Primary School, Stoke on Trent
• Dawn says: ‘Science is important because it helps us all to answer questions about the world around us.’

Dawn’s Top Tip for teachers: https://explorify.wellcome.ac.uk

• Local TAPS Champion
• SLP Facilitator
• PSQM hub-leader
• KS2, Science lead at The Willows Primary School, Stoke on Trent
• Becky says: ‘science gives permission to be wrong and so make discoveries.’

Becky’s Top Tip for teachers: https://explorify.wellcome.ac.uk

Moorpark Junior School.

• KS2 Science Subject Leader
• Science Influencer

Lucy says “Science teaches us that it is okay to make mistakes. It’s learning from those mistakes that makes a good scientist.”

Top Tip: https://primaryfutures.org/ this is a fantastic website to search for STEM volunteers.

Local TAPS Champion

• KS2, Science Lead at Packmoor Primary School, Stoke-on -Trent
• Gill says: I have been teaching science a long time and it still excites me.

Gill’s top Tip for teachers: The Ogden Trust physics resources are great-go on line and investigate

https://www.ogdentrust.com/resources-cpd/resources

• SLP Facilitator
• Ogden Trust Fellow
• KS2, Science lead at St Gregory’s Catholic Academy, Longton, Stoke on Trent
• Jane says: ‘Science understanding is key to successful STEM’

Jane’s Tip for teachers: ASE PLAN resources and register to STEM online for regular updates

• SLP Facilitator
• PSQM hub-leader
• KS1 and Science Lead at Rushton CE Primary, Staffordshire Moorlands
• Andie says: ‘the natural world enables time to stop, look, listen and think. Learning outdoors and about the outdoors is essential for our children.’

Andie’s Top Tip for teachers: Vitamin N, Richard Louv and 30 days Wild at The Wildlife Trust

Newford Academy

• KS2 Teacher and Science Lead
• Member of the Ogden Trust and TAPS Scheme

Ben says: “‘quality Science teaching is key to helping children develop their own thoughts and curiosities for the world in which they live”.

Top Tip: Always keep Science hands on where possible and make use of https://explorify.wellcome.ac.uk/!

Moorpark Junior School.

• Science Across the City Project Administrator
• Science Influencer

Top Tip: Use the resources that are available to you – For example: The Calm Approach and The Fell

Waterside Primary School

• Science Subject Leader
• Science Influencer

Graham’s Top Tip: If you don’t know a science concept during a class, don’t pretend you do. Instead, freely admit that you don’t know a particular concept and work with your children to find the answer. In this way, you’re modelling a collaborative environment found in science anyway and you’ll gain the student’s respect and trust in that you won’t make things up just to seem like you know everything. No one likes a know-it-all, especially one who doesn’t and thinks that they do!

Park Hall Academy

• Assistant Principal
• Science Subject Leader
• KS1 Teacher

Ann-Marie’s Top Tip: “Provide time for science talk and questioning during your lesson. Plan and teach your science lesson based around a science challenge question. Children initiating and generating their own questions sparks their curiosity and enthusiasm to learn. Also be honest if you don’t know the answer, children love to see you learning with them. ‘Lets investigate together…how could we find out?…”

Gladstone Primary Academy 

• Deputy Headteacher
• Science Subject Leader
• Science Influencer

Claire’s Top Tip: “Try science playleaders and take science onto the playground. Select Science ambassadors to work with the younger children, exploring, observing, experimenting, discussing! You’ll find the younger children will be queuing to take part and the older children love sharing their expertise”!

Alexandra Junior School

• Science Subject Leader
• Science Influencer

Jackfield Infant School

• EYFS & KS1, Science lead at Jackfield Infant school, Stoke-on-Trent.
• Science Influencer

Nicola says “Says – Science is all around us and with a WOW moment we can allow children to explore for themselves and create their own investigations”

Top Tip: It’s not Fair – Or is it? by Jane Turner, Brenda Keogh, Stuart Naylor and Liz Lawrence.

• Local TAPS Champion
• SLP Facilitator
• UoM Teacher Champion
• KS2 & 3, Science lead at St Edwards CE Academy, Leek
• Melissa says: ‘I love teaching and loving about the universe and its inhabitants.’

Melissa’s Top Tip for teachers: Smart Pickings, Lynne Bianchi

• Network leader – Core 4
• Local TAPS champion
• KS1, Science leader at Saint Nathaniels Primary School, Stoke on Trent
• Louise says: ‘ Teacher talk to catch up, update and share is invaluable and needs to be regular’

Louise’s Top Tip for teachers: https://www.reachoutcpd.com

• Local Big Book Champion
• SLP Facilitator
• Local Network champion (South)
• KS1, Science lead at Newford Academy, Stoke on Trent
• Tracy says: ‘science is inclusive and never dull! The potential of new discoveries provide us with a sense of hope.’

Tracy’s Top Tip for teachers: https://explorify.wellcome.ac.uk

Watermill School

• Science Subject Leader
• Science Influencer

Joy’s Top Tip:

“At the end of the school day I always ask myself the same question. Have I switched on the light bulb for my children today? If the answer is yes then I know they will have the confidence to switch on the light and connect with others.”

Keele University

• Science coach for Physics and transition
• Science Influencer

Top Tip: “For all things physics try the Ogden Trust”

Moorpark Junior School.

• Chief Financial Officer – The New Guild Trust
• Business &Finance Manager – Science Across the City

Emma says “Relax, lie back and enjoy the wonders of our universe https://www.keele.ac.uk/observatory/ #stargazing on our doorstep”

Etruscan Primary School

• Science Subject Leader
• Science Influencer

Jen says: “Science enables children to become curious thinkers and engage in the world around them”.

Top Tip: TAPs encourages child-led learning and light bulb moments!

Alexandra Junior School

• Deputy Head Teacher
• Science Influencer

Julie’s Top Tip: Using odd one out activities on Explorify is a great way to create discussion and challenge thinking.

Gladstone Primary Academy

• Teaching and Learning Practitioner
• Science Influencer

Chris’ Top Tip: “Don’t worry if the experiment results go awry. These can still fuel good questions, discussions and conclusions”.

Gladstone Primary Academy

• Teaching and Learning Practitioner
• Science Influencer

Chris’ Top Tip: “Don’t worry if the experiment results go awry. These can still fuel good questions, discussions and conclusions”.

• SLP accredited facilitator
• National PSQM Regional Hub Leader
• Professional Development Champion UoM
• Tina says: All children deserve a good science learning experience to inspire and underpin life chances and broader choices.’

Tina’s TopTip for teachers: Concept Cartoons, Millgate House

• Local TDTS Champion
• KS2, Science lead at Stoke Minster Primary School, Stoke on Trent
• Amanda says: ‘Science develops life skills and attitudes for the future. A shift in how we look at things can lead to new inventions and advancements’

Amanda’s Top Tip for teachers: The Art of Creative Thinking, John Adair

• Local TDTS Champion
• KS2, Science leader at Ash Green Primary School, Stoke on Trent
• Rachel says: ‘There are no wrong answers, science builds upon what you know and deepens understanding.’

Rachel’s Top Tip for teachers: Bright Ideas Time, PSTT

• Local TAPS Champion
• KS2, & Science lead at Milton Primary Academy, Stoke on Trent
• Ash says: ‘science stimulates talk and meaningful group discussions.’

Ash’s Top Tip for teachers: https://explorify.wellcome.ac.uk

• Science Capital Research Participant
• SLP Facilitator
• Ogden Trust Fellow
• KS1,Science lead at St Maria Goretti Catholic Academy, Stoke on Trent
• Emily says: ‘Science is for all and it is important to help families engage in valuing science’

Emily’s Top Tip for teachers: It’s not fair or is it? Millgate House

Burnwood Primary School

• Subject leader KS2
• Top tip- All things through the Ogden trust.
• Adam says “Science is constantly evolving, and it’s being part of that journey which can really excite children.

A recent science Ofsted Deep Dive leaves Adam keen to share and support other schools.

https://www.ogdentrust.com/resources-cpd/resources

• SLE
• KS2, Science lead at Belgrave St Bartholomew’s Academy, Stoke on Trent
• Luci says: ‘science provides the bridge between English and Maths because of its real world application of both.’

Luci’s Tip for teachers: Sticky labels! Always use to allocate roles for effective group work

• NQT coach and Mentor
• Science Influencer

Grace says “

Top Tip:

The Meadows Primary Academy

• KS2 Teacher and Science Lead

Imtiaz says: “The value of in-depth Science learning extends far beyond the classroom; Science promotes independent thinkers, raises aspirations and encourages all children to imagine new possibilities.”

Top Tip: Crest Awards are a fantastic way to engage children in the real-world applications of Science, whilst providing teachers with exciting and varied ways to promote children working scientifically.

St Peter’s Catholic Primary School

• Science Subject Leader
• Science Influencer

Sue’s Top Tip: Engaging children with science in the world around us by showing them a range of careers that are linked to each science unit really helps them to see the relevance and builds on our science cultural capital in school.

Sutherland Academy

• Science Subject Leader
• Science Influencer

Tor’s Top Tip : If you know your science topics well then you can be more enthusiastic in your teaching. If you are insecure in your own subject knowledge on the topic you are teaching, this often leads to superficial understanding by children and lack of enjoyment by both teacher and children. We are not all experts, but I encourage all of my colleagues to use free CPD from places such as https://www.reachoutcpd.com/, to give themselves the confidence in their own knowledge and understanding. This is particularly important when moving to new year groups. This has led to better lessons and enjoyment for the children in our academy.