Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
The Wellcome Trust funded development of the Primary Science Quality Mark award scheme to help improve and celebrate the quality of science teaching and learning in primary schools. A report on the mark and its use was recently published and we got Jane Turner, Director of the Primary Science Quality Mark, to explain why it is needed.
Although a core subject, primary science has often been rather neglected in comparison with English and maths. Recent research from SCORE shows that science is under-resourced and losing status.
Aware of the difficulties being experienced in schools and determined to raise its profile to inspire young people to be our future scientists, a partnership was formed in 2008 between the National Network of Science Learning Centres, the Association for Science Education and Barnet Local Authority with the aim to revive primary science in the UK/England.
This group devised the Primary Science Quality Mark (PSQM) - a nationwide scheme for raising the profile and celebrating the quality of science teaching and learning in primary schools. The idea behind the mark is that by focussing attention on the schools’ current science offering, and setting targets needed for attaining the mark, they will be incentivised to improve.
One participating school stated that as a driver for pursuing PSQM was that “We were acutely aware that the profile of science was in danger of being lowered to that of a foundation subject”.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
In education, a number of quality marks already exist, but PSQM differs from other award schemes through being science-specific and in the methodology. The process begins by auditing a school’s science provision as soon as a school signs up to work towards the award. Subject leaders, supported by a local expert PSQM hub leader, then progress the scheme from this starting point to galvanise their colleagues, pupils, parents and governors to raise the profile and quality of science in their school.
Initiatives such as professional development sessions, advice, support, feedback and encouragement are examples of steps that can be taken towards PSQM status, which usually takes a year for a school to achieve. This culminates in a final submission stage, where subject leaders write reflections on the impact of their leadership over the last year against the initial audit and each of the PSQM criteria.
The Wellcome Trust funded a two-year PSQM pilot phase and, due to its success, also supported the model for a sustainable national roll out of the scheme in 2010.
This year a new partnership between the AstraZeneca Science Teaching Trust and the University of Hertfordshire was established to support the continuing development and growth of the PSQM programme. Since 2010, 600 primary schools across the UK have achieved PSQM and have been celebrating increased quality of their science teaching and learning. Another 410 schools are currently engaged in the programme, which means that at least 20,000 pupils have been enthused so far!
A new Wellcome Trust report about the mark gives readers insights into how PSQM schools have:
- approached the tiered quality mark,
- gained from achieving the award,
- faced the challenges in aiming to raise the quality of primary science,
- used initiatives created by primary science leaders to raise the quality of science in their schools, and
- received enlightening opinions from young people on how they feel about their science education.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Schools participating in the PSQM scheme have to collect and provide evidence relating to their primary science practice. Subject leaders report honestly the challenges they face and the strategies they use to address them. They describe the highs and lows of teaching science in primary schools today.
The lows are often related to external pressures or uncertainties; the highs are always to do with the very human satisfaction of a job well done. This data is rich and powerful for both the school – when evaluating and learning from its progress – and for others e.g. policy-makers, researchers, educationalists – when seeking evidence to help shape accountability measures or policy change that can affect school science.
Schools that have been awarded the PSQM can happily provide many positive stories about enthused and motivated children who enjoy learning science and do well. These stories are evidenced by their growing understanding and application of scientific ideas and processes. Once teacher commented: “If I had to use one word to describe our Science curriculum, it would be dynamic.”
At this time of significant change for curriculum, assessment and organisation in schools, this project has confirmed that PSQM submissions are indeed a valuable data source for all interested in ensuring that primary science inspires future generations.
Hundreds of schools are currently taking part in the PSQM award programme. If you would like to find out more or register your school for PSQM visit www.psqm.org.uk
Wellcome Funding for the PSQM was in the form of an Engaging Science grant. Find out more about out funding schemes on the Wellcome Trust website.
Filed under: Education, Funding, Public Engagement, Wellcome Trust Publications Tagged: Education, PQSM, Primary Education, Primary Science Quality Mark Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
