Ashville College’s Prep School is the first in Harrogate & the District to be awarded a quality mark for the high standard of its science lessons. It is also the only independent school in the area to achieve the standard.
Ashville Prep School was one of a number of infant, junior, primary, middle or special schools nationally to be recognised with the Primary Science Quality Mark, which celebrates and recognises excellence in science teaching and learning.
The scheme, which saw Ashville Prep School achieve the “silver” standard on its first attempt, enables schools to work together to share good practice and is supported by professional development led by local experts.
It encourages teacher autonomy and innovation while at the same time offers a clear framework for development in science subject leadership, teaching and learning.
Jane Turner, PSQM National Director, said:
Gaining a Primary Science Quality Award is a significant achievement for a school. The profile and quality of science teaching and learning in each awarded school is very high.
Science subject leaders, their colleagues, head teachers, children, parents and governors should be very proud.
Ashville Prep School Headteacher, Simon Bailey, added:
Achieving the silver Primary Science Quality Mark is a fantastic tribute to our superb teachers. I am extremely grateful to Helen Sawyer, subject leader for Science, who inspires our children and led this process superbly.
The ‘standard’ highlights the quality of our science lessons and, importantly, how engaged our children are in this subject.
We pave the way to the teaching of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects in the Senior School, and by engaging the pupils now, our hope is a growing number will continue to study them at A-Level and beyond.
The Primary Science Quality Mark is led by the University of Hertfordshire’s School of Education in partnership with the Primary Science Teaching Trust. It is supported by the Royal Society for Chemistry, the Ogden Trust and the Association for Science Education.
The school will be officially presented with its Silver Primary Science Quality Mark at a ceremony being held on Friday 10 November 2017 at York’s National Railway Museum.
