Recognising excellence in primary school science

The awards ceremony from the second pilot scheme was held last night in London. Thirty-seven primary schools from around Buckinghamshire, Canvey, Tilbury, Maidenhead, Enfield, Barnet, Brent, and Islington were recognised for their achievements in promoting science teaching and learning, with bronze, silver and gold awards on offer.

The Primary Science Quality Mark is an award scheme to develop and celebrate the quality of science teaching and learning in primary schools. The scheme was devised by the Science Learning Centre East of England, in conjunction with the Association for Science Education and Barnet local authority, with funding from the Wellcome Trust.

Derek Bell, Head of Education at the Wellcome Trust said: "The Wellcome Trust is proud to back this scheme, which supports our mission to inspire young people and provide them with the skills and knowledge they need to live and work in an ever more scientific age.

"In recent years there has been a significant reduction in emphasis on science in primary schools. With the national roll-out, the Primary Science Quality Mark is breathing life into primary science teaching in schools all over the country and helping to bring back the excitement of learning in science for children and their teachers."

The awards were designed in response to widely acknowledged concerns about the state of science in primary schools. The aim is to offer schools the incentive and framework to invest time and effort into developing science, and professional development by stimulating teachers' and children's curiosity in the subject.

The awards ceremony was held at Centre of the Cell, Queen Mary University, London.