Hill West Primary School receives national award for high-quality science education

Staff and pupils at Hill West Primary School are celebrating after receiving national recognition for excellence in science teaching and learning.

The popular school, which is part of the respected Arthur Terry Learning Partnership (ATLP), has been awarded the Primary Science Quality Mark.

Close to 200 Primary Science Quality Marks have been awarded to infant, junior, primary, middle and special schools to celebrate those schools’ commitment to excellence in science teaching and learning. 

Primary Science Quality Mark is a school improvement programme for primary science, which provides professional development for new and experienced subject leaders each year. PSQM enables confident, knowledgeable, reflective leadership, which results in an improvement in the way in which science is planned and taught in school. 

Dr Beth Clarke, headteacher of Hill West Primary School, said:

“We are delighted that, after a rigorous submission, Hill West has been designated, yet again, with the Primary Science Quality Mark. Miss Lynch, our Year 2 class teacher, ably supported by Mrs Burton, our Year 1 class teacher have led science successfully across school, so much so, their work has been nationally recognised, and I would like to offer them my heartfelt congratulations to them both on this achievement.”

Since its national launch in 2010, more than 5000 schools across the UK have achieved a prestigious Primary Science Quality Mark. 

The Primary Science Quality Mark is led by the University of Hertfordshire in collaboration with the Primary Science Teaching Trust.  Associate Professor Jane Turner, PSQM National Director said:

“There was never a more important time for primary children to have a high-quality science education. The coronavirus pandemic and climate change crisis have made everyone aware of the importance of science in our world. 

“Primary schools have an important role to ensure that children understand how science works and keeps us and our planet healthy and safe. Schools that have achieved a Primary Science Quality Mark have demonstrated a significant commitment to science teaching and learning.

“The profile and quality of science 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.”

Science is an important part of the curriculum at Hill West.  The school strives to ensure:

‘A high-quality science education provides the foundations for understanding the world through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. Science has changed our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity, and all pupils should be taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science.

‘Through building up a body of key foundational knowledge and concepts, pupils should be encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. They should be encouraged to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes.’  National Curriculum in England: science programmes of study, Department for Education, 2013.