Scientific Success!

This past week BSN Junior School Leidschenveen was awarded the Primary Science Quality Mark of Gold. Primary Science Quality Mark awards have been awarded to 154 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 1700 schools across the UK have achieved the award. The Primary School Quality Mark scheme 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. The Primary Science Quality Mark is led by the University of Hertfordshire School of Education in partnership with the Primary Science Teaching Trust. It is supported by the Royal Society for Chemistry, the Ogden Trust and the Association for Science Education.

Teachers Barbara Van Duijne and Karen Huggins led the charge to obtain this distinction. Barbara shares: “It has been a long road since we started thinking about applying for the PSQM in 2014. Initially we thought we would be going for bronze or silver, but when Karen Huggins and I actually sat down and began auditing science we realised it might just be possible to go for gold! Between us we began initiating our action plan and identifying what else we needed to do to make JSL a gold quality school. This includes finding ways to branch out more into the community and local schools. The final part of the project was presenting Science at JSL through a portfolio and reflections which covered the PSQM criteria. Capturing the portfolio and reflections was a really proud moment for me as it really showed how science had developed in the curriculum, what an amazing school I work in alongside amazing people. This would not have been possible without children excited to learn and a staff engaged and committed to promoting scientific thinking. Thank you to everyone involved”.