Shelley Drury is Deputy Head of Curriculum for Science at Kings Priory School (KPS) in Tynemouth. She has been teaching science for 12 years, with specialisms in biology and chemistry across primary and secondary schools. Her current role involves overseeing middle years at KPS. Shelley is one of 50 teachers to win £1,000 for their schools as a result of their entry in the Rolls-Royce Science Prize. In this article she outlines her entry for the prize and the effect it has had on her school.
I attended the course “New Primary Science Curriculum: Teaching, Learning and Assessment” in York last May (2014). Following this I wanted to develop my expertise in the new primary curriculum to enhance my role overseeing middle years but also to improve progression, along with our primary teachers, all through the school. The course provided me with the knowledge I required but also envisioned me to explore ways to enhance science learning in and out of lessons.
Science ambassadors programme
During this time our science ambassadors programme was in its infancy. I had decided to search for 20 new science ambassadors from our Year 9 and 10 cohort. To apply they had to fill in an application form and make a one minute video explaining something scientific.
The premise of the science ambassadors programme was to train up the students so that they could then plan and lead workshops with 150 of our year 3 and 4 pupils. Training involved teacher led sessions, a trip to London and a visit to the Dove Laboratory. In July, our science ambassadors delivered workshops in rocket making, microbiology, forensics and chemical reactions. As a teacher it was a challenge to step back and let our students lead but we were overwhelmed with pride to see them excel. It was truly inspiring for both the students and the staff.
In 2014/2015 we planned to expand and develop the science ambassadors programme, following its initial success, by expanding it to impact the whole school and the wider community. The announcement that we were Special Merit Award winners in the Rolls-Royce Science Prize has really catalysed this process. We are now really inspired to be part of this programme. We have been working on expanding the training opportunities for science ambassadors, have recruited some more students, and are running our first “Mini Einsteins” workshop, for our Year 4 students and their parents/carers. We have also started to plan the science festival we always dreamed of organising, but never had the money. The £1000 is helping make this a reality. This event will impact the whole school and the wider community.
We have expanded the planning team within school and developed external partnerships to enhance our programme. Over the next few months, students will be involved in sessions with Newcastle University’s Street Science Team and attending biomedical science workshops at the Durham University Science Festival.
Our most exciting partnership, however, is the link we are making with Ian Simmonds, Head of Communication at the Centre for Life and Director of the UK Maker Faire. We are working closely with Ian to develop a bespoke training programme for our Science Ambassadors, next month they are performing as Science Buskers at the Maker Faire, following training at the Centre for Life. Over the next year we will develop a robust programme of training in science communication that will enable students to be stall holders at this prestigious event. Ian is also providing practical support for KPS’s Science Festival.
The science ambassadors programme is inspiring both students and staff by exposing us all to opportunities and links beyond the four walls of the classroom.
The Rolls-Royce Science Prize is an annual awards programme that helps teachers implement science and mathematics teaching ideas in their schools and colleges. The awards programme is open to all schools and colleges in the UK.