Provide folders with initially information in Provide folders with initially information in. Introduce yourself and your background, including what makes you passionate about Primary Science. Don’t forget contact details. This could be as a business card or in the pack, or a slide. Complete the Session Evaluation form part 1. 5 minutes

www.psqm.org.uk Session 1: Getting started on the PSQM Journey 2

Add your contact details here! This is me…who are you?

Why are you here? Where is your school in terms of science? But… Why are you here? Where is your school in terms of science? Activity A: Discussion as a group on why are they are here? What do they hope to get out of it? Introduce yourselves and your situation and school. 10 minutes   Activity B: Visualisation (eyes closed, breathe slowly and reflect) activity to reflect on what makes a good lesson and when last happened and how it felt, regardless of the subject it was taught in Make notes. What can you take from this experience and apply elsewhere? Activity C: Use the ideas and notes from the visualisation activity to encourage delegates to complete the ‘Science is good when…’ cards, for the shortened version of ‘Activity 1: Principles of Science’. Provide a few extra moments to complete more. Don’t explain what this activity is about at the moment.

‘Has been the best tool for school improvement ever!’ Some Comments ‘The process gave me a framework to lead change in Science teaching and learning in my school. Science in my school has transformed beyond recognition. I would recommend for every school to become involved.’ ‘Has been the best tool for school improvement ever!’ ‘Hard work but very rewarding. It helped me appreciate how much we were already achieving and focus on what still needs to be done. I'm using the model of the application process to drive improvements in another subject area this year.’ Point out the two Case Studies in the pack that help to illustrate the impact of PSQM and the journey that these two people have been on. ‘Very reflective and well structured process. Being involved in the PSQM has definitely raised the standards of science at our school.’

How the PSQM scheme works Share the reasons why PSQM was created (you aren’t alone in wanting to make a difference!), what it is all about and its story so far (slides) i.e. what PSQM hopes to achieve and how it will help delegates. Include the successes reported in National Reports, but don’t go into too much detail at this time – more on this later. 30 minutes PRIMARY SCIENCE QUALITY MARK® 6

The Primary Science Quality Mark is an award scheme to develop and celebrate the quality of science teaching and learning in primary schools. Schools can achieve Bronze, Silver and Gold awards. We were created to help you do what you have said you are here to do – this is the reason behind the creation of the PSQM. PRIMARY SCIENCE QUALITY MARK® 7

PSQM Aims To raise the profile of science in primary schools To encourage an increase in the range and quality of teaching and learning in science To recognise, promote and spread good practice in science teaching and learning To provide a framework for evaluating, planning and developing the quality of science teaching and learning To celebrate a commitment to excellence in science in primary schools Half the interested schools express a wish to do number 1 and number 2. The other half stated number 5 as their priority! Today in many schools, number 1 is the most important, as science continues to lose it’s status…and PSQM has been successful in this – as you can see from the next slides.

The National Perspective In England, PSQM has been recognised by the National Inspection Team (Ofsted) in both recent reports (2010 & 2013): e.g. in 2013: School leaders who recognised the likelihood of a declining profile for science were able to mitigate the risk by, for example, seeking accreditation through the Primary Science Quality Mark. The process of gaining the award brings benefits beyond the certificate, because it requires school leaders to evaluate their provision and justify their science curriculum as being fit for promoting good learning. It also connects school science leaders to other primary school leaders who have successfully raised the subject’s profile in their schools.  

The National Perspective The state of Science in Wales (2013): Primary and secondary schools should: provide challenging science opportunities to stretch all pupils, particularly the more able, and eliminate tasks that are too easy; provide more opportunities for pupils to pursue their own scientific interests; ensure that assessment and marking practices provide pupils with meaningful advice on how to improve their scientific understanding and skills; and work with other schools to share effective approaches to teaching and assessing science. In addition, primary schools should: make sure that pupils are taught science for at least two hours a week; and provide training for teachers with weak science subject knowledge.  

The Story So Far….. Draft criteria established and programme piloted 2008-2010 National roll out began in 2011, supported by the Wellcome Trust Ofsted validation in 2012 1,219 schools have achieved a PSQM award since its launch in 2010 A further 484 schools will achieve a PSQM award in 2015 2013 onwards PSQM is supported by partnership of University of Hertfordshire and the Primary Science Teaching Trust (PSTT) 60+ trained and active hub leaders in the whole of the UK and wider afield.

PSQM self evaluation framework The Scheme Layers PSQM self evaluation framework Science subject leadership Teachers and teaching Pupils and learning Wider opportunities The 4 big areas the programme includes these. There are criteria within each section for each level of award, to give you guidance on what next steps you should plan for the future. 12

The Process Schools achieve a Primary Science Quality Mark award through a process of initial audit, followed by action and reflection. Supported by compulsory training and mentoring they: complete an initial audit against PSQM criteria; decide which award to aim for; design an action plan which they put into place over a period of 2 - 3 terms; submit key pieces of evidence to support their submission for the selected award and to illustrate the impact that their actions have had whilst working towards the achievement of the PSQM award criteria. The basic process for a school to work through.

What challenges can you see? Responsibilities The Project agreement was set up to ensure that all parties were aware of the roles and responsibilities that each has. It is the document that shows your HT is fully behind this. What challenges can you see? The basic process for a school to work through.

The PSQM Calendar Outline Calendar The Primary Science Quality Mark By April By End of April By End of May   By End of Dec By End of March Oct Day 1 training Session: TODAY!  Session 1 Training Audit of current practice against PSQM criteria Decide on level going for Complete action plan and upload to PSQM website Session 2 Implement Action Plan. Evidence collection is on-going Session 3 training Day 2 training session: ADD THE DATE HERE IF YOU HAVE IT! Session 4 Submit reflections with supporting evidence Award notification end May Award Ceremony  Mentoring Add in your specific dates if you have them. Tip – Set the deadline for submission at least 1 week before the final deadline! Remember that these dates are part of the responsibilities for all parties to meet. 15 15

www.psqm.org.uk Using the PSQM Website Need access to internet for this part. PRIMARY SCIENCE QUALITY MARK® 16

PSQM Structure GOLD AWARD The subject leader ensures that excellent practice is visible, sustained and evolving across the whole school. This excellent practice has a clear impact on partners beyond the school. SILVER AWARD The subject leader is having an increasing impact across the school, where science has a high profile. Many excellent practices are developed and implemented. Some links with partners outside the school are being established. BRONZE AWARD The subject leader is beginning to have an impact beyond his/her own class and the profile of science is growing across the school. Some excellent practices are being developed and implemented. PSQM SILVER PSQM GOLD PSQM Bronze Broader not necessarily better, as Gold is about broadening the reach of science to other schools and the wider community, not about doing more ‘stuff’! 17

Activities to Support Criteria An example of an activity and the criteria it links to, that it could provide evidence for. There are 17 of these on the website to download.

Activities to Support Criteria An example of an activity and the criteria it links to, that it could provide evidence for. There are 17 of these on the website to download.

Activities Principles Links/ creativity/ cross curricular Pupil voice 12. Community Transition 13. T/L strategies Staff vision 14. CPD Impact Albums 15. Display board observation capture Learning walk Monitoring 16. Lesson observations Resources Planning Scrutiny Book Scrutiny Peep Visits, visitors 20

Gap Tasks Carry out a Pupil Voice Activity Use evidence from Pupil Voice and discussion with SLT, to complete your self-assessment before the next session, and make notes on things you may need to complete to reach the award level you wish to go for. Hold a staff meeting to run the Principles of Science activity. 21