STEAM DAY ORGANISERS VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9F-1kBoG6As

Science Vision

Every child has a positive hands-on learning experience during science lessons and is able to use their skills and knowledge in other areas of learning as well as the wider world.

Science lessons at West Byfleet Junior School:

• are hands-on, practical and investigative
• encourage us to ask questions
• promote interest in the world around us
• advocate for positive role models across all STEM subjects
• are closely linked to other subjects of the curriculum including Maths, English, Geography, History, Drama, Art and Computing
• relate to our school values A ROCK (aspiration, resilience, opportunity, creativity and kindness)

West Byfleet Junior School Awarded Primary Science Quality Mark

Primary Science Quality Marks have been awarded to 425 nursery, infant, junior, primary, middle, international and special schools this month to celebrate their commitment to excellence in science leadership, teaching and learning.  So far, since its national launch in 2010, more than 5000 Primary Science Quality Marks (PSQM) have been awarded, creating a solid foundation of quality science education for over 1,000,000 children.  

PSQM is a comprehensive evidence-based professional development programme that effectively develops science leadership, ensuring teachers have the knowledge, capability and support they need to transform science education and shape future generations.  

The Primary Science Quality Mark is led by the University of Hertfordshire.

Helen Sizer, PSQM Co-Director said: ‘By enabling effective science leadership, PSQM is powering the potential of all children to see the relevance and importance of science in their lives, now and in the future.  Schools that have achieved a Primary Science Quality Mark have demonstrated a significant commitment to science leadership, teaching and learning and the profile and quality of science in each accredited school is very high. Science subject leaders, their colleagues, headteachers, children, parents and governors should be very proud.”

Science Leader - Katerina  Turitto

Despite having an MBA and a Master’s degree in humanities not in science, over the years, I have maintained a curious mind and developed a real passion for science and all areas of STEAM subjects.

I love researching new discoveries in different areas of science and reading a wide range of resources.

As a school child, growing up in the Czech Republic, I loved learning about space and remember vividly my school trips into the planetarium. My mum also had a massive influence on my early enthusiasm for science especially biology and chemistry having studied chemistry herself and working in a local laboratory, which I often visited after school.

Despite choosing political science and English language and literature as my double major, I kept my interest going by attending lectures of other subjects such as ecology and renewable energy.

Recently, I came across a book that I would like to recommend to parents written by Dr. Daniel J. Siegel and Dr. Tina Payne Bryson called The Whole-brain Child (12 proven strategies to nurture your child’s developing mind).

The medical science studying a human brain has advanced enormously in the past few decades and I find it very useful to be able to understand the processes children go through as their brain becomes more mature.

Since becoming a science lead in April 2021, I was able to bring a wide range of enrichment activities into the classroom. Most recently taking year 5 and 6 to a STEAM day at Thorpe Park; making slime and other exciting activities during Science week; organised an interview with a NASA scientist about the Mars Rover; bringing first-hand experience of metamorphosis into the classrooms and much more.

This year, our school is in the process of obtaining a PSQM, which is a Primary Science Quality Mark accreditation award, which aims to raise the profile and quality of science in schools.

I am very excited about this process and am determined to continue to raise the standard of science lessons at our school, being supported by a great team of teachers and colleagues.