Enquiry Types Webinar Series

Better understand enquiry types and how to teach them

Access our enquiry types webinar series

The Enquiry Types Webinar Series is designed to support teachers at all stages of their careers in developing a deeper understanding of enquiry types and how to teach them effectively across the primary age range, including early years. Whether you are new to teaching, moving year groups, or looking to strengthen your approach to teaching science, this series will provide practical guidance and examples to use in your classroom.

Each session explores a different enquiry type, highlighting how it fits within the curriculum, progression across age groups and practical examples for classroom application.

Recordings of the full series are now available. Complete the form below to purchase access.

 

 

Webinar 1

Observation and observing over time

In this webinar, we explore how to approach observation in the primary science classroom, highlighting that it is a skill that needs to be taught explicitly. The session will define the enquiry type of observation over time and provide examples across the primary age range.

This webinar covers:

  • Approaches to teaching observation and observing over time
  • Progression in observation and observing over time

Hosting this webinar: Chris Lawson, Regional Mentor & Area Mentor for North East England, and Kathryn Horan, Regional Mentor & Area Mentor for Yorkshire & East Midlands.

 

Webinar 2

Identifying, classifying and grouping

Identifying, classifying and grouping is widely used in primary science, with applications across multiple topics. This session explores how to teach this enquiry type effectively and exemplifies what it looks like in practice.

This webinar covers:

  • The applications of identifying, classifying and grouping
  • Skills that particularly lend themselves to this enquiry area and their progression across school

Hosting this webinar: Kate Readhead, Regional Mentor.

 

Webinar 3

Pattern seeking

Pattern seeking plays a key role in scientific thinking, helping children identify relationships in science. This session defines pattern seeking as an enquiry type and explores how it can be applied in primary science lessons.

This webinar covers:

  • Different types of pattern seeking
  • Progression in pattern seeking

Hosting this webinar: Angharad Pass, Regional Mentor.

 

Webinar 4

Comparative and fair testing

Comparative and fair testing are distinct but often confused. This session defines each approach, clarifies their differences, and provides practical examples for how to teach them effectively.

This webinar covers:

  • The difference between comparative and fair testing
  • Progression in comparative and fair testing

Hosting this webinar: Ruth Shallcross, CPD and Resources Lead, and Rebecca Ellis, Regional Mentor.

 

Webinar 5

Research

Research as an enquiry type extends beyond books and internet searches. This session explores different approaches to research, providing practical strategies to help children develop skills in finding and evaluating scientific information.

This webinar covers:

  • Different approaches to research in the primary science classroom
  • Progression in research

Hosting this webinar: Chris Lawson, Regional Mentor & Area Mentor for North East England, and Angharad Pass, Regional Mentor.

Meet the Presenters

We’re excited to showcase the speakers leading our Enquiry Types Webinar Series. Each expert brings invaluable experience in science education and curriculum development. This series will provide practical strategies to help teachers understand and apply different enquiry types in primary science.

Here we introduce each presenter, offering a glimpse into their expertise and the insights they’ll share.

 

 

Angharad Pass has been working in education for almost 20 years, of which 12 were as a science subject leader. During this time, she led her school to PSQM Silver and Outreach and then became a PSQM Hub Leader herself. Working in the Yorkshire and Humber region, she has supported over 30 schools to achieve PSQM.

Angharad became a PSTT Fellow in 2018 after winning a Primary Science Teacher Award (PSTA) and is also the Chair of the ASE Primary Committee. She has worked with a wide range of organisations delivering CPD and developing resources, including Findel Publishing, the Great Science Share for Schools as a Regional Champion, NFU and STEM Learning and has also worked as an Associate Lecturer for ITT in Leeds.

Both primary science and outdoor learning continue to be passions for Angharad, and she is proud to be supporting schools and science leaders to inspire the next generation of scientists in her role as Regional Mentor.

Chris Lawson has been teaching for over 30 years, with experience across the primary age range. She is currently a teacher in a primary school in Durham, where she has led science and Early Years since 2008 and has led her school to PSQM Silver, Gold and Outreach. She became a PSTT fellow in 2016.

Chris is passionate about ensuring all children can access high quality science lessons and extra-curricular experiences and helping them to realise that there is something for everyone in the world of science. She has a particular love for science in EYFS, firmly believing that it is never too early to become a scientist.

Kate Redhead has been a Fellow of PSTT since 2012, with her Primary Science Teacher Award endorsed by the Wellcome Trust. Before joining PSTT, she worked as a Science Subject Leader and later as an Assistant Head at a large primary school in Birmingham. During her teaching career, Kate earned a Masters in Education, focusing on designing and implementing science schemes of work, and completed her NPQH qualification. She also introduced a Science Lab at her school and led a Research Learning Community to explore the impact of dialogue on science teaching and learning.

An active contributor to the science education community, Kate is a member of the West Midlands ASE committee, an Ambassador for Children’s University, and a Regional Champion for the Great Science Share. She has written for teacher journals and created several PSTT resources to support educators. Committed to lifelong learning, Kate is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Education at Birmingham University. She is passionate about empowering science leaders to foster a love of the subject within their schools.

Kathryn Horan has been a PSTT Fellow since 2016 when she was honoured with a PSTT Science Teacher Award. She has taught in primary schools for over a decade, working with children across all Key Stages and leading science for most of her time as a teacher. In 2020, she was awarded the Charter Mark for Science Teaching (CSciTeach) in recognition of her ongoing commitment to her own professional development and its impact on others.

In addition to her work as a Regional and Area Mentor for the PSTT, Kathryn is also a PSQM Hub Leader, a Lead Facilitator for STEM Learning, and chair of the ASE Yorkshire Regional Committee. In her role as an independent consultant and author, she has worked with a wide range of organisations, including the Royal Society, Cambridge International, the Royal Society of Chemistry and Oak National Academy. She has also authored a book, ‘Wow! But Why?’ which aims to help primary teachers deliver ‘wow moments’ in science that lead to real, meaningful learning.

Rebecca Ellis has been a Fellow of PSTT since 2018. Before teaching, she worked as a research scientist at Cranfield University and English China Clays International, contributing to the fields of wastewater treatment and biofilm systems through her published papers. Her 20-year teaching career includes leading science in a junior school in Warwickshire, where she achieved gold standards in PSQM and SSQM and developed family learning programs. Rebecca is motivated by a deep understanding of each child, aiming to inspire a love of learning through creative teaching methods.

As an Explorify Engagement Leader, Rebecca developed resources like the ‘Climate Challenge’ collection and the ‘Celebrating Scientists’ section, and she delivers teacher CPD, focusing on professional learning communities. She leads the ‘Explorify for Inclusion’ project, supporting teachers in building children’s long-term memory. Rebecca is also involved in PSTT’s ‘Did you know?’ team, creating interactive models to help children understand climate change and fostering constructive hope for the future. As a Regional Mentor and PSQM hub leader, she enjoys collaborating with teachers to build their confidence in teaching primary science and inspiring children to see science as accessible and relevant to them.

Ruth Shallcross has been a Fellow of the Primary Science Teacher College since 2013. During her teaching career she has worked in three North London schools each with a contrasting pupil demographic. She has held a number of roles: class teacher, subject leader and most recently Assistant Headteacher. For much of her career Ruth has combined her role in school with working as an Advanced Skills Teacher/Lead Practitioner for the Local Authority. Ruth has coached and mentored a range of colleagues in the development of teaching and learning, and subject leadership; her focus is on the empowerment of colleagues and building capacity.

Ruth is passionate about helping all children to succeed and seeks to achieve this through creative approaches to teaching often using cross-curricular links to deepen engagement. Her particular areas of interest are scientific literacy, making abstract concepts understandable and creating enjoyable learning experiences.