Science Network - Gateway Alliance

Our Science Network offers a wealth of opportunities for subject leaders to come together to receive expert guidance through professional development – enhancing their skills to help them to thrive in their role, keeping up to date with research and developments and fostering collaboration by creating a community for sharing best practices, resources and advice.

Meet our Science Network Leader...

Eleanor Atkinson has a wealth of experience within primary science education, teaching, and leading science across the full primary age-range in both mainstream and SEND schools.

Currently working as an independent science consultant and award-winning Fellow of the Primary Science Teaching Trust, she cascades learning by working with in-service teachers with Manchester University’s Science and Engineering Education and Research Innovation Hub and is the Regional Leader for PSQM in the Northwest and Northern Ireland.

Previous roles include writing for Pearsons Publishers to produce pupil and teacher guides for science, working with the BBC to evaluate primary science resources and more recently writing a chapter on promoting understanding through dialogue for the ASE flagship book, A guide to Primary Science Education.

All roles, past and present, have the same theme – to support and facilitate improvement and a life-long enjoyment of science.

What to expect across the year…

We meet as a Science Network once each term, either online or in a variety of locations. These sessions offer valuable opportunities to connect with colleagues from other schools, share effective practice, and explore both local and national issues shaping the primary science curriculum. We review the latest updates from the DfE, Ofsted, and key science organisations, giving colleagues the chance to reflect on new research and guidance together. Each meeting also includes a deeper dive into one or two focus areas, exploring specific aspects of science teaching and learning, as well as the wider strategic role of the Science Leader in school.

There are always lots of ‘take-aways’ for leaders to take back and share with staff in school and time to network and share common areas of challenge and good practice. The focus of our termly meetings are driven by the current needs of the group which are informed by our Science Network steering group and evaluations from previous sessions.

Once a year we have our Science Conference which brings together our whole network for an inspiring day exploring new and innovative practice. The focus for our conference is driven by the needs of the network and provides an opportunity to hear from a number of exciting guest speakers.

All network meeting resources, recordings and useful links are made available to network members and their schools, via our online resource hub housed on our website. All network members receive personal access to this area to ensure that they can access resources quickly and easily throughout the year.

Join us...

We would love you to join our Science Network. Click on the links below to find out more about how to subscribe for the year and book places at one of our network events.

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