Tyntesfield Primary School
Our project Investigation Generation aims to introduce Investigation Stations across school, providing a “wow factor” at the start of selected Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) projects. Each Investigation Station will allow pupils to engage with one of the six types of scientific enquiry (observing over time, pattern seeking, identifying and classifying, comparative and fair testing, researching using secondary sources and problem solving), through an exciting and meaningful contexts. The stations will have a set task to engage pupils with the chosen enquiry type and this will then help to guide their own scientific investigations.
The idea for our project stems from the ’Keeping Science Alive and Kicking in the Primary Curriculum’ CPD course that our Science Subject Leader attended last year. This course highlighted the importance of giving pupils the opportunity to gain hands on experience of the different strands of enquiry. It identified the need to ensure that pupils have quality access to each enquiry approach rather than defaulting to the traditional teacher led question of ‘how will we make it a fair test?’
This course also sparked the idea that hands on science should be accessible to pupils every day, rather than limited to the time constraints of the planned weekly science lesson and it was from this that the Investigation Station idea originated.
With the support of the Rolls-Royce Science Prize, our Investigation Stations aim to provide resources which are accessible for all pupils, inspiring them to be curious about the world around them. As the project develops, we are looking forward to promoting scientific discussion and questioning between pupils, staff and parents. We aim to develop a whole school approach to ensure the six types of enquiry are securely embedded within our school science curriculum and deepen our own understanding of how best to engage pupils with STEM subjects.
Laura Yates (Project Lead and Science Subject Leader)
Laura is the science subject coordinator at Tyntesfield Primary School and a Year 3 class teacher. She has been testing out initial project ideas with her Year 3 class and is looking forward to seeing how pupils across the school engage with the different types of science enquiry. Laura has a background in outdoor education and is dedicated to raising the profile of science amongst staff and pupils at Tyntesfield. She has a passion for developing a curriculum that will inspire pupils to pursue STEM careers in the future and understands from her own personal experience how important it is to engage children with these subjects from an early age. Laura is also looking forward to developing her own skills as a subject leader. Having been in the post for one year, she is excited about the opportunity to lead staff CPD sessions and monitor the impact of the project over this year and beyond.
Hayley Wright (Deputy Headteacher)
Hayley is the deputy head at Tyntesfield Primary School. Hayley leads our outdoor learning team and is currently developing the outdoor classroom as a tool to inspire pupils across the broad primary curriculum. Hayley aims to introduce cameras into our woodland area to observe the activity of birds and other wildlife. She is keen for pupils to discuss and share their learning experiences with parents and carers and her links with partner schools will enable the project to impact the wider school community.
Claire Walmsley (Computing Subject Leader)
Claire, our computing subject leader and Year 6 teacher has a passion for teaching computing, science and maths. Her creative thinking skills will be invaluable as we aim to inspire and intrigue the older pupils with the investigation stations and encourage them to develop a deeper understanding of the different types of scientific enquiry. Claire is excited to take the lead on filming the project and will do this with the support of a team of Year 6 pupils who are keen to take an active role in the project.
Zoe Allman (Geography Subject Leader)
Zoe is an experienced Key Stage 1 teacher who has a passion for allowing children to investigate their own questions. She is our geography subject leader and is looking forward to making links between scientific enquiry and geography. Zoe aims to engage the younger pupils with hands on activities which encourages their independence and inspires them to question the world around them. She will developing and monitoring the project in Key Stage 1.
Jamie Whyte (Chair of Governors)
Jamie has been a governor at the school since September 2012, and was appointed Chair of Governors in Summer 2016. He has three children at Tyntesfield. As well as being Chair of Governors, he also chairs the curriculum committee, and is the named governor for pupil performance, computing, and science. Jamie has a degree in Chemistry, and is the founder of a company that helps people to get more out of data.