Written by: Louise Parks, winner of Primary Science ENTHUSE Award, 2016
A balmy summer evening in London and as I walked up to the impressive Wellcome Trust building, not really knowing what to expect, the magnitude of the reason I was there became very real!
After receiving an Intensive ENTHUSE Award to help develop science in my school, the results and impact of the work I had instigated and coordinated had impressed the assessors enough to invite me down to their ENTHUSE Celebration Award event and into the ‘top three’ entries.
My friend and past mentor, Mrs Ann Clarke, in hand, afternoon tea was first on the agenda. A chance to meet and mingle with the other finalists, talk some science and eat delicious cakes which was followed by official photographs. All very surreal and very different from the everyday life of a primary school teacher!
The next part of the event took part in the newer part of the building next door, drinks and canapes and again a chance to share examples of the work I had done and the impact it had on both staff and pupils. Everyone was so welcoming and interested to hear each other’s ideas and experience of teaching science at secondary and primary level.
Into a second room where tables were set beautifully, a menu of delicious food and it was then I spotted and read the programme of events. In my primary category there was myself and two other finalists and from reading their synopsis, had both done amazing things to develop science in their own schools. We were sat at a table of delightful people, all interested in the work I had done and from a range of organisations, government and educational establishments.
Dinner commenced and I began to feel the nerves that this was very real as I spotted the gold envelopes and intriguing boxes on the front platform. The primary category winner was the first to be announced and I sat back, relaxed, with absolutely no expectation that I would have been chosen for the award.
A speech was made and the golden envelope in hand, then my name was announced! I couldn’t believe it! I stepped onto the platform to receive a beautiful glass trophy (so that’s why someone had rang my school the previous week to check the spelling of my name!) OK, so the next bit was a little scary, I had to make an acceptance speech but looking around the many faces in the room, I did alright!
"I still have to pinch myself to believe that my name was read out on the night and I am very honoured that I won the award."
The evening went on with awards for amazing technicians, further education and secondary colleagues all who had made a wonderful impact to science in their establishments. It finished with more official photos then back to our hotel and maybe one or two celebratory drinks.
So, the evening was over but the impact of winning the award is not! Back in the North East, my school presented me with flowers and champagne, local papers ran a story of the event and my achievements. Following on from this, I have been contacted by a variety of people asking me to share my experiences of auditing and supporting, and developing science in my school, from local consultants to directors of independent firms.
Many have reported they have used my ideas to make a positive impact on science in their schools. I have been asked to present at a North-East Conference, again sharing my ideas and the way I tackled the development and improvement of science and I am constantly looking to build on the school’s achievements. The motivation that comes from all of this is huge, to build on the time and expertise funded by the initial Intensive ENTHUSE Award.
I still have to pinch myself to believe that my name was read out on the night and I am very honoured that I won the award. It sits proudly in my study.
The award is a personal award, a keepsake of hours of hard work, providing tailored CPD for staff, writing schemes of work and working closely with consultants to plan and bring to life an action plan, but for me the knowledge of knowing that I had made an impact on the science in my school and therefore the children’s perception, enthusiasm and interest of the subject is an amazing achievement and deserves a celebration in itself.
Could you be one of this year's winners?
If you have attended CPD from the National STEM Learning Network, or know someone who has, you can apply for the 2017 ENTHUSE Celebration Awards. Completely free to apply, don't miss your chance to be recognised and celebrated.
Applications are open until 5 March 2017.