Senacre Wood Primary School awarded Primary Science Quality Mark

In March 2018, as a school, we decided to apply for the Primary Science Quality Mark, to enable us to improve our provision of Science and raise it's profile within the school and the wider community. We are delighted to announce that, after a lot of hard work, in May 2019 we were awarded the Primary Science Quality Mark.

Primary Science Quality Marks have been awarded to 200 infant, junior, primary, middle and special schools to celebrate a commitment to excellence in science teaching and learning. So far, since its national launch in 2010, over 3000 schools across the UK have achieved a prestigious Primary Science Quality Mark.  

The Primary School Quality Mark programme ensures effective leadership of science,  enables schools to work together to share good practice and is supported by professional development led by local experts. It encourages teacher autonomy and innovation while at the same time offering a clear framework for development in science subject leadership, teaching and learning. Schools that achieve PSQM demonstrate commitment and expertise in science teaching and leadership.

The Primary Science Quality Mark is led by the University of Hertfordshire, School of Education in collaboration with the Primary Science Teaching Trust.

Jane Turner, PSQM National Director said: “Gaining a Primary Science Quality Mark is a significant achievement for a school.  The profile and quality of science teaching and learning in each awarded school is very high. Children are engaging with great science both in and outside the classroom, developing positive attitudes towards science as well as secure scientific understanding and skills. Science subject leaders, their colleagues, head teachers, children, parents and governors should be very proud.”

Achievements identified by the award

"Science learning is clearly well established and it is good to see how well staff use this to present pupils with engaging and effective activities. There is a lot of creativity here and that can only enhance the quality of provision. This means, of course, that pupils get a variety of insights into how science fits into the wider curriculum and relates to an impressive range of other disciplines."

"There has clearly been significant time and effort applied to developing a range of imaginative and creative teaching strategies which have broadened pupils’ experiences of science and promoted effective learning in a variety of ways. It is encouraging to see how higher attaining pupils are being challenged and supported."

"The use of Science Ambassadors to manage the resources is a great idea."