Daily Echo Article - Top mark for science teaching at St Monica Primary School 2024
SCIENCE: St Monica Primary School in Sholing, Southampton, has been awarded a Primary Science Quality Mark (PSQM) for commitment to excellence in science leadership, teaching and learning. Pictured, Science lead Emma Bocock with pupils.
St Monica Primary School in Southampton has received national recognition for the quality of science lessons. Part of the Inspire Learning Partnership family, the school in Sholing has been awarded a Primary Science Quality Mark (PSQM) for commitment to excellence in science leadership, teaching and learning.
Richard Waghorn, Head of School, said: “This is testament to the hard work from our dedicated teaching team, led by our amazing Science lead Emma Bocock.
“We are just so proud, as this highlights the quality science learning in our school and the tireless work of Emma and our incredible team.
“Showing our commitment to exciting science education for the children, we achieved the PSQM through a year-long professional development process, consisting of initial audit, followed by action and evidenced-based reflection.”
Earlier this year St Monica Primary School, which converted to an academy with Inspire Learning Partnership in 2022, was praised for a second consecutive year by a national education charity which shares leading practice in classrooms.
London-based Challenge Partners, an organisation encouraging schools to work together to make educational improvements, carried out the quality assurance review at the school’s request.
The primary school, with 350 pupils, last year celebrated a £3m modernisation programme, including upgraded facilities for Reception and Year 1 along with two classrooms for Year 4 in a new modular building separate to the main building.
Another primary school run by Inspire Learning Partnership, Kanes Hill in Southampton, was awarded the PSQM last year.
Led by the University of Hertfordshire, PSQM is a comprehensive, evidence-based professional development programme that effectively develops science leadership, ensuring teachers have the knowledge, capability and support they need to transform science education and shape future generations.
Helen Sizer, PSQM Co-Director, said: “Science subject leaders, their colleagues, headteachers, children, parents and governors should be very proud.
“By enabling effective science leadership, PSQM is powering the potential of all children to see the relevance and importance of science in their lives, now and in the future.
“Schools that have achieved a Primary Science Quality Mark have demonstrated a significant commitment to science leadership, teaching and learning and the profile and quality of science in each accredited school is very high.”
Since its national launch in 2010, more than 5,000 PSQMS have been awarded, creating a solid foundation of quality science education for 1 million-plus children.
Open events for Year R admissions at St Monica Primary School, for September 2025, take place at 10am and 4.30pm on Tuesday, 12 November.
