Phil Watkins, Consultant.
TEL: 07815 759 093
EMAIL: phil.watkins35@outlook.com
Supporting both primary and secondary schools to make science outstanding and supporting pupil aspirations into STEM careers.
“Phil is an inspirational example setter” – Assistant Headteacher, Sacred Heart High School
“The science network meetings, organised by Phil, have allowed science teachers time to discuss and create many invaluable resources.” – Science Coordinator, Oakfield Junior School
“Phil has worked closely with the Science Department and has helped move the department forward to one of the highest attaining in the school.” – Head of Science, Hookergate Secondary School
“Phil has helped us to move our science teaching and learning forward with useful advice and practical help. Dual objective planning and teaching is the future of primary science” – Science Coordinator, Springwell Village Primary
"Phil is always on hand to provide an in depth knowledge of the science curriculum" – Science Coordinator, South Street Primary
“There was a visible increase in the quantity and quality of Science being taught across school” – Science Coordinator, St Alphonsus RC Primary
“Phil has given us the tools and support for us to develop assessment in science across the school.” – Science Coordinator, Oakfield Infants School
“Everyone was encouraged, felt positive and more confident about embarking on the national curriculum for science. He is very approachable, no-one felt intimidated and he explained carefully so everyone understood.” – Science Coordinator, St Oswald’s RC Primary School
I am now able to support staff with confidence, make informed judgements and allow children to direct their learning and take control in lessons2 – Science Coordinator, Eskdale Academy
“As a coordinator, the support I have received has developed, deepened and strengthened my knowledge of Science in the primary setting - Science Coordinator, Eskdale Academy
“Phil is without doubt the most inspirational professional with whom I have had the privilege of working during my teaching experience." - Director of Applied & Community Learning, Harton Technology College
“Support with dual objective planning has ensured the curriculum has greater depth, meaning and progression of skills.” - Science Coordinator, Mickley First School
“Network meetings are a fantastic opportunity to share best practice and to support science subject leaders in all aspect of their role.” - Science Coordinator, Mickley First School
“The science training delivered was fun, exciting and engaging for adults as we took part in activities which would stimulate children's learning and love of Science” - Science Coordinator, St Alphonsus RC Primary
“Phil has provided invaluable support. His knowledge of the subject and his enthusiasm is infectious.” – Science Coordinator, South Street Primary School
“Phil worked with children in class and had them totally engaged. They were enthusiastic and came out wanting more.” – Science Coordinator, St Oswald’s RC Primary School
“Phil played an instrumental role in raising the quality of our science teaching throughout the school.” – Headteacher, Kelvin Grove Primary School
“Phil provides a huge amount of support in the strategic development of our school and this is very much appreciated by all.” – Assistant Headteacher, Thomas Hepburn Secondary School
I came away for the first time since the Government changes enthusiastic about what Science could be like in my school” – Science Coordinator, St Alphonsus RC Primary
"Following Phil’s support, science is now taught in a more practical, hands on and exciting way which enables children to find out answers for themselves.” – Science Coordinator, Mickley First School
“CPD has enables staff across school to gain a greater understanding of the science curriculum and assessment methods.” - Science Coordinator, Mickley First School
“Staff training around dual objective planning has had an instant impact in the classroom, as observed in recent SLT lesson observations.” – Headteacher, Kelvin Grove Primary School
“Science became alive in our school after Phil worked with us and think every school would benefit from his amazing continuous input, couldn't recommend him highly enough!” - Science Coordinator, Swarland First School
“Phil is fantastic with the children and to observe as he has hundreds of engaging ideas and all the children love him.” - Science Coordinator, Swarland First School
“I never knew how to plan for science correctly until I met Phil and his dual objective planning. Now don't know how I ever taught Science before it!” - Science Coordinator, Swarland First School
"Phil is an expert in considering problems from multiple viewpoints and using this knowledge to produce solutions which are acceptable to all.” – Director of Applied & Community Learning, Harton Technology College
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PRIMARY SCIENCE
Science is a core curriculum subject in all schools and is vital for the future employability of your pupils. However, it is often the subject that pupils love and teachers fear. The development of fun in both learning and teaching of science comes from a deep understanding of the underlying concepts. These conceptual building blocks are called Science Models and are not only easy to understand but they thread their way through the curriculum, linking topics together into conceptual strands … and there are only four models that cover your whole curriculum!
Teaching through Science Models not only makes even the trickiest topic easy, but supports abstract thinking and scientific language development. Pupils love learning through models because they can see the steps to excellent explanations and recognises success at each stage. Teachers love teaching through models as it builds their confidence to tackle even the hardest question from the class. All schools that I support use Science Models in their delivery with often outstanding Ofsted outcomes.
The use of Science Models and a clear understanding of the year group steps in Working Scientifically lead to an assessment system that is essentially skills-based but will naturally encourage deep learning and a mastery curriculum. The Science Assessment Board has been developed by teachers working in networks that I lead. It works, and works easily and effectively to support deep progressive learning across topic boundaries. Secure pupil outcomes are so clear that they become an integral part of the lesson challenge as objectives in their own right – a teaching process known as dual objective planning.
All of these resources and techniques have been school-trialled, developed and evaluated over many years through extremely active science coordinator networks. We are constantly modifying and developing existing strategies and embracing new ways that make our jobs easier, more effective and make learning more engaging for the pupils. All schools value their time spent at the network and are keen to collaborate to create local solutions to national requirements. You would be more than welcome to join us.
I can support you to deliver outstanding primary science teaching through demonstration, support and challenge by working directly with your staff. I can support your leadership through training, support, networking and through the Primary Science Quality Mark (PSQM). I am a hub leader and assessor for PSQM and also support the wider CPD delivery through national and local Science Learning Centres.
All resources used in training are provided within the cost of the package. Please see the ‘Networking’ section for more information about joining a range of networks available.
Quick-fix Science Support
This support package can get your school up and running quickly with science delivery and assessment. Training includes electronic and paper copies of the Science Assessment Board and all important resources.
Your staff will be enthused and be able to deliver science in a very effective and understandable way. They will understand how to develop Working Scientifically in a progressive way and will be more confident to develop these skills in every lesson. Assessment and performance tracking will become easy, more useful and staff will be encouraged to assess pupils formatively in lessons. All of this in as little as two weeks!
This package is a recommended first step by any school new to the teaching techniques and assessment resources.
The package includes:
• Science coordinator training (half or a full day)
• Staff twilight (1.5-2 hours) – teaching through Science Models and assessing content through Explaining Science
• Staff meeting (1-2 hours) – developing progression in Working Scientifically. Understanding year group expectations
Following this training, most schools then request Bespoke Staff Training Packages which include demonstration lessons. This allows staff to see their new learning in practice and then could be followed by more structured teacher support in the classroom.
Please click on this link to download a full support and price guide – Primary Training Packages
Staff Training Packages
These training packages typically fit into a staff meeting and can be modified to fit your needs. They build on the Basic Quick-fix Science Support and can be used to extend thinking by schools already using the techniques and resources or as top-up if it’s been a while since you last did some science training. They include resources but do not include electronic versions of the full Science Assessment Board.
The training allows you to focus in on problem areas of delivery, boost teacher expertise or take science into areas that will make your school outstanding for the subject. They include:
• Developing conceptual models in the science curriculum
• Supporting Working Scientifically in the classroom
• An introduction to science assessment
• Standardising pupil work against year group expectations
• Using assessment to support effective planning in science
• Delivering outstanding lessons in science
• Building STEM into the science curriculum
• Outdoor science – how hard can it be?
• Linking mathematics and science in the classroom
• Supporting the most able in science
• Supporting low ability / EAL groups effectively in science
Please click on this link to download a full support and price guide – Primary Training Packages
Bespoke Staff Training Packages
These packages typically fit into half days of support during teaching time. Schools can buy any number of half day blocks to meet their requirements. Packages will be developed to exactly fit your specific needs. They include all resources and development time. Opportunities could include:
• Combinations of the stand-alone staff training packages
• Science coordinator training, including observation and scrutiny support
• Planning support for individual or groups of staff
• Demonstration / team-teaching and evaluation
• Subject and /or phase review and feedback (including PSQM support)
The most common support that schools request is a half/full day of demonstration lessons to allow staff the opportunity to see techniques in practice and support their assessment of their classes. Most schools request this support following initial training such as the Quick-fix Science Support.
Please click on this link to download a full support and price guide – Primary Training Packages
Full Day Staff Training Block – Effective Curriculum Delivery and Assessment in Science
This package could be used to fill a teacher training day in schools that are new to the techniques or those that are able to move on to embed outstanding science practice across the whole school. The training package will be bespoke to your needs and will use elements of all the training packages available.
Please click on this link to download a full support and price guide – Primary Training Packages