We have been proud to be part of the Ogden Trust Project for the past four years. This project aims to raise the profile of physics in primary and secondary schools and increase the uptake of physics at GCSE, A-level and beyond by supporting physics education and engagement for young people.

Jo Martin from Summerhill Primary Academy is our Rivers Ogden Trust Lead, she shares a round-up of all the creative ways our schools have engaged pupils in science across the trust.

"Over the four years, the project in our schools has gone from strength to strength, due to the dedication, enthusiasm, and hard work of all our science leads. This year has been no exception, with a wide range of fun and educational activities taking place. I think all our science leads will agree that the science capital across our schools has significantly improved and that we are most definitely nurturing budding scientists of the future!"

Trust-wide events

In October, schools kickstarted another year of science activity by taking part in National Space Week, children took part in many space-themed activities such as designing a solar system, writing space poems and visiting an inflatable planetarium.

In November, we introduced our first trust science competition. Children in EYFS/KS1 were invited to design/make a ‘Keeping Safe Around Electricity’, poster whilst children in KS2 were asked to design/make a type of game/toy/decoration, etc. that contained a simple circuit and would either light up, spin round or buzz when used. It was a fiercely contested competition and the entries received across our trust were outstanding. Winners from each school received a gift voucher for Smyths Toy Shop and were put forward for judging by our CEO Matt Meckin! The EYFS and KS1 winner won a huge compendium of electricity games to construct, while the KS2 winner was treated to a high-spec telescope!  

In March, we celebrated British Science Week throughout our schools. Again, children took part in science assemblies, a range of exciting activities linked to physics.

Science Ambassadors

Many of our schools now have Science Ambassadors, a group of pupils who have a particular passion for science and want to share this passion and their scientific knowledge with others. They support our science leads and other teachers in the delivery of assemblies, lessons, parent workshops, and the content and design of science displays. They have also taken part in two training sessions with our Ogden Trust Representative where they discussed what skills are needed to make a good ambassador. They were also taught some engaging science activities which they then shared with children and other adults around school. Some ambassadors have also been responsible  for running a science club, where they can share their skills and experiments with their peers. 

Astro Camps 

Through funding from the Ogden Trust, a set of resources was purchased, enabling us to run our first-ever ‘Astro Camp.’ Year 5 pupils at Summerhill Primary were the first to participate, resulting in a highly successful event! Children returned to school in the evening for a fun-packed carousel of space-themed activities, including using telescopes and device apps to star gaze and identify our constellation. Due to its success, both Wychbold First School and Jubilee Park, have since carried out their own ‘Astro Camp’, and in the next academic year, we hope other Rivers schools will take part too! 

Parental Involvement 

It is always lovely to welcome our parents into school for special events and through the Ogden Trust Project, every school has held different physics activities for the parents to become involved in.

CPD 

The Ogden Trust Project is not just about the pupils though! Teachers are provided with free CPD each year of the project. The training is amazing and helps our teachers to deliver high-quality physics lessons. An expensive box of resources is also provided for every school that attends, and all teachers love a freebie!! 

Legacy

So much has been happening throughout our schools to foster a love of physics and science.

Jo reflects "It has been my absolute pleasure to lead the project for the last two years across our trust and to see and share in all the amazing work that goes on in our schools. As we enter Year 5 of the project, our legacy year, I look forward to seeing the continuing impact".