Meet some of our College Fellows
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Alex Farrer
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Alison Eley
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Alison Trew
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Angharad Pass
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Bryony Turford
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Carol Sampey
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Caroline Skerry
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Christine Lawson
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Claire Seeley
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Clarysly Deller
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Debbie Jones
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Eleanor Atkinson
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Heather White
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Janet Barnett
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Janine Carpenter
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Jodie Blincow
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Judy Beer
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Jules Pottle
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Kate Redhead
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Kathryn Horan
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Kathy Schofield
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Katja Rudden
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Katrina Halford
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Kulvinder Johal
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Lesley Hunter
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Linda McKee
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Lucy Blackmore
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Mark Lynn
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Michele Grimshaw
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Nathan Williams
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Neil McAllister
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Nicola Connor
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Peter Sainsbury
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Robin James
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Ruth Shallcross
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Ruth Smith
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Sarah Eames
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Sue Martin
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Tom Holloway
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Tom Jones
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Tracy Tyrrell
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Vanessa Seehra
Alex Farrer
Having held an advisory role for science in London for many years, I am now enjoying leading the teaching and learning of science and STEAM at Wimbledon High Junior School. In 2019 we were proud to achieve a PSQM Outreach Award and I continue to support science teaching and learning in both GDST and local schools in many ways such as through the local Ogden Trust Primary Partnership. I am an experienced PSQM Hub leader and co-authored the PSTT resource “See Through Science” and developed the unconscious bias materials “Science for Everyone” with the Wellcome Genome Campus. I regularly lead professional development sessions and speak at conferences and I am particularly interested in exploring the benefits of pupils making connections with scientists and engineers.
Alison Eley
Ali Eley has been a fellow of the Primary Science Teaching Trust since 2012. Ali’s teaching career has included being a science subject leader in primary schools in Somerset and South West London, working in Initial Teacher Education as a senior lecturer in primary science at St. Mary’s University, and leading research and development for the Richmond Primary Teaching School Alliance. Ali has written for teacher journals, and is on the editorial board for Primary Science.. Ali is the creator of the PSTT resource, “I can explain!” Her particular areas of interest are children’s scientific literacy, teachers as researchers, and evidence-informed approaches to practice in primary science.
Alison Trew
Alison started her career as a research scientist, namely as a biochemist, and worked for nine years on various cutting-edge medical research projects in different English universities. After a break for family, she trained to teach primary children and has taught all ages from reception to year 6 and was science subject leader at her school in Devon and led the school to a PSQM Silver Award in 2013. She was awarded the Primary Science Teaching Award in 2014.
Since 2016, Alison has been the PSTT Area Mentor for the South West supporting PSTT Fellows in Dorset, Devon and Cornwall. In 2018, Alison took on a new challenge for the Trust as Website Resources Developer. Alison’s expertise in primary science includes assessment of primary science, types of science enquiry, using floorbooks, famous scientists, and cutting-edge science research. She would be delighted to hear from anyone wanting to develop science teaching in these areas.
Angharad Pass
Angharad has been a primary teacher and science subject lead for over 10 years, having worked in science education prior to training as a teacher. She now teaches part-time in school and works as a freelance consultant, supporting teachers, schools, and children to develop science, promote interest and engagement with STEM subjects and raise aspirations.
She is a Specialist Leader of Education, Primary Science Quality Mark (PSQM) Hub Leader and Great Science Share for Schools Regional Champion as well as working with a number of organisations including Practical Action and NFU Education. She is passionate about sustainability and inclusivity in science education.
Bryony Turford
I have many roles supporting teachers across Yorkshire and the Humber region including: Chartered Science Teacher (CSciTeach); STEM CPD Mark - lead facilitator; PSQM Senior Regional Hub Leader in Yorkshire and the Humber; Space Champion for ESERO UK; Professional Development Champion with SEERIH at University of Manchester; Associate consultant for Leeds LA; Red Kite improvment partner; Regional trainer for CLEAPSS and for Practical Action; author as part of Snap Science series and co-author of 100 ideas for Primary Science.
I am also a member of the ASE Futures committee and an active member of the Yorkshire and Humber ASE region.
Carol Sampey
With over 35 years primary experience behind her, teaching from Y2-6, Carol held the position of Deputy Head and Science leader in a number of schools across Wiltshire before becoming an Area Mentor for Wessex in 2016 and also South Wales in 2018. She has a great passion for the subject of science and loves seeing children get excited by the world around them, keen to develop true feelings of awe and wonder by opening their eyes to the world around them (not to mention her own!).
She has a particular interest in Outdoor Learning and, inspired by Darwin, maximised the teaching and learning opportunities in the grounds of Shaw Primary School by developing a "Thinking Walk" including; a wildflower meadow, bug mansions, a Cornus Walk , a human sundial and converted an old mobile home into an Exploratory classroom.
She also worked extensively outside of the school both locally and nationally, including work on the Wiltshire Science team and helped to organise conferences for the county. She currently leads the PSTT funded Melksham Science Cluster and is a STEM CPD Facilitator, contributing to primary science conferences, leading CPD courses and Science Leaders Network meetings to support Wiltshire and Dorset teachers, a role which she particularly enjoys, seeing it as a great way to pass on the wonderful ideas gained through being part of PSTT!
Carol led Shaw Primary School to a PSQM gold award and she received a Primary Science Teacher of The Year Award in 2012. Primary Science Assessment is a particular strength: the assessment work at Shaw made a major contribution to the PSTT/Bath Spa University’s Teacher Assessment In Primary Science Project (TAPS) and she has also worked with other nationally recognised experts on developing Assessment exemplars for the DFE. Other PSTT projects Carol has undertaken include working with WOMAD to develop The Growing Music project and, in 2018, after training from the Jurassic Coast Trust, she became PSTT Jurassic Coast Champion. This has been very well received and led to her PSTA award being endorsed by The Geological Society in in June 2019.
Caroline Skerry
Being a fellow of the PSTT, has allowed me to attend some extremely educational conferences and meet many amazing like-minded and knowledgeable people. This has enabled me to work with STEM learning as an SLP, delivering STEM CPD to teachers in Cornwall and the South West: be involved with the Cornwall Primary Strategy setting up a Cornish science teachers' network and work with different MATs in the county delivering science CPD on behalf of the PSTT.
Christine Lawson
As well as leading Science I'm the Foundation Stage lead for our school, and I firmly believe that it is never too early to be excited by Science. Like everything else, if we get it right in the early years it makes anything possible later.
Claire Seeley
Claire has been a PSTT Fellow since 2014. She has taught and lead science in a variety of rural, urban and city schools. In tandem with her work as a teacher, Claire has also worked closely with teachers across East Anglia as both a lead Practitioner and primary science consultant; supporting schools, charities and science educators to develop meaningful learning opportunities for children through CPD, consultancy and ITE. Claire has written for teacher journals and has also worked with a range of educational charities and media companies such as BBC Teach and CBeebies creating content for online and broadcast.
Claire has a Masters in Environmental Education. She is particularly interested in how creativity can deepen scientific understanding and supporting children’s understanding of the natural world.
Clarysly Deller
I am a keen Primary Science practitioner and winning PSTA has opened up a new circle of enthusiastic colleagues with whom I can share, learn from and celebrate exciting ideas and interests. I really enjoy the collaboration of area meetings and conferences celebrating progress in primary science education. Winning the award was the catalyst for lots of new things professionally. I worked as a primary teacher and science lead for about 14 years, following a career as a midwife, working both in the UK and various other countries for about 23 years. During my time in school I started Eco & Science Crest Clubs, Science Week activities and events and led the school to gaining the Primary Science Quality Mark - Gold award in 2015. I moved on to completing a Master's Degree in Education and started working at MMU, training primary teachers in 2017.
I love the fact I am now able to pass on my love of science to a whole new generation of primary teachers, not just classes of children. I have continued to develop my research interest in creative and engaging primary science, including the use of drama techniques to help children understand tricky concepts and open up the diverse qualities scientists have, by exploring the life of scientists and helping the children to apply these to become scientists in their own right. I continue to share ideas for teaching and learning at conferences (PSEC, ASE etc) and writing for journals like ASE's Primary Science.
Debbie Jones
I have been an Area Mentor with the Primary Science Teaching Trust in the West Midlands since 2015.
As a teacher, I was passionate about science in Primary schools and continue to look for ways to excite children to become more inquisitive about the scientific world around them. I supports Fellows in the Midlands. Concerns for the planet have inspired me to find innovative ways to extend the life of single use plastics by up cycling them for science purposes!
I love being outside and enjoy walking, Pilates and gardening. Working for the PSTT has given me a fantastic opportunity to continue to work alongside amazing colleagues from across the country.
Eleanor Atkinson
As an Independent Primary Science Consultant, I get to do what I love every day, investigate, educate, question and research everything and anything related to primary science and current best practice. I love the practical nature of this subject and this is what keeps science exciting for me.
Since winning a PSTA in 2015 I have been blessed with many opportunities. In 2016 I worked with RI and Professor Saiful Islam in producing a series of primary lessons linked to the Christmas Lectures broadcast on the BBC. in 2017 I contributed to the latest edition of the ASE's "Guide to Primary Science" writing a chapter on How to promote understanding through dialogue. In 2018 I wrote a series of science books with Pearson Publishers for the International market and in 2019 I began to co-ordinate a PSTT cluster of schools in the North West supporting and facilitating improvement and enjoyment of science in my hometown.
In addition to all of this I enjoy being a Hub leader for PSQM, an associate consultant for Ogden Trust Trust and a Consultant with SEERIH and the Greater Manchester Networks. Everything I do is about promoting the importance and the enjoyment of science.
When I am not "working" you will usually find me in the garden tending to my fruits and vegetables, cooking, entertaining friends, and family or walking with my husband and our little rescue dog Nelly, on the sand dunes near Southport or in the beautiful Lancashire countryside.
Heather White
I am a Primary 3 teacher in the Thompson Primary School and my roles include Senior teacher, Key stage 1 Coordinator, English Coordinator, WAU Coordinator, Teacher Tutor and Child Protection Officer. Since winning my award in 2013 I have presented at many TeachMeets, taken INSET training and also cluster schools training days. I am involved in a local school cluster with Ballyclare PS, Fairview PS and Doagh PS led by Mr Neil McAllister who is also a PSTT fellow. We have worked along with Sarah Earle to produce resources for TAPS NI Progression in Science. Neil and I also presented at the International Conference in Edinburgh 2019.
Janet Barnett
I received the Primary Science Teacher Award in 2012; this provided access to PSTT college funding for my 2014 project Sporting Science: Cricket based at Durham International Cricket Ground. Since retiring from the classroom, a whole new world of science opportunities has opened including the role of PSTT North-East England area mentor (2015-18) and various writing projects including co-authoring a book with Rosemary Feasey, Jumpstart! Science Outdoors: Cross-Curricular Games and Activities and contributing to Royal Society of Chemistry, Science Bug International and BBC resources. Now I am a Primary Science Quality Mark senior regional hub leader supporting NE hub leaders and schools through the PSQM accreditation process.
It’s a privilege to be involved with PSTT and I love working with the North East College Fellows who are all amazing, inspirational teachers!
Janine Carpenter
Since winning my Primary Science Teaching Award, my school has worked towards another Primary Science Quality Mark, which we achieved last year. I have been selected as a ‘Science Influencer’ for ‘Science across the City’ which has recognised, understood and celebrated primary science across the majority of schools in Stoke-on-Trent and supports other schools and teachers. I currently lead the Science meetings for our Multi-Academy Trust and am working with STEM on a project to collaboratively strengthen and develop Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 transition alongside a lot of very knowledgeable and amazing teachers.
My favourite part of 2020 was where we held a ‘Star gazing Night to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Moon Landings ’ which involved the use of the ‘Star Dome Planetarium, a fascinating talk by Dr. Binks from Keele University and being able to look at the moon through a 13” Dobsoniam telescope with the Astrophysics department alongside workshops that were supported by our Science Ambassadors in school. It was amazing.
Jodie Blincow
Following winning the Eden Award, I was nominated and won my PSTA in 2014. Since then, I have moved south of the border from my home in Scotland and have now been teaching in England for four years.
In that time I have organised and run events within the school not only to raise the profile of science but to inspire the children to think about careers in STEM subjects; these include Space Camps, whole school science projects, competitions such as ‘Fly To The Line’, being part of the judging panel for the Royal Society’s Annual Book Prize, as well as team teaching science and delivering a range of science training for colleagues.
Away from school, I am a keen runner having now completed 15 Marathons and countless half marathons. I also enjoy singing and am a member of the ‘Rock Choir’ family, performing at many prestigious events including BBC Proms in the Park and events at Blenheim Palace.
In January this year, I moved to a new school where I became the Deputy Head and Science Lead. I’m looking forward to the challenges it brings.
Judy Beer
Since gaining my PSTA, I have progressed into non-classroom management positions. I have used my wider influence to promote primary science as a subject, but also as a way of improving home-school relationships and parental engagement with school life. I have continued to deliver CPD sessions to trainee teachers, primary school teachers and science subject leaders and to create links with other professions through the PSTT.
Kate Redhead
Kate Redhead has been a fellow of the Primary Science Teaching Trust since 2012.
Kate entered the teaching profession after a short time as a Project Manager in the telecommunications industry. Before joining the Trust, she worked in a large primary school in Birmingham; first as Science Subject Leader and later as an Assistant Head. During her time as a teacher, Kate gained her Masters in Education, focussing her dissertation on the design and implementation of Science schemes of work, and also completed her NPQH. Kate introduced a Science Lab in her school and led a Research Learning Community of local schools in exploring the impact of dialogue on the teaching and learning of science. Kate has written for teacher journals, is on the editorial board for Primary Science, the West Midlands ASE committee and is also a Trustee for Children’s University. Kate is passionate about supporting and developing science leaders, empowering them to take ownership of the subject and build a love of the subject within their schools.
Kathryn Horan
I’m a Chartered Science Teacher and consultant with experience teaching across the primary age range. Through my role as an independent consultant, I work as a PSQM Hub Leader and a CPD facilitator for STEM Learning. I have also worked for a broad range of education organisations, including the Royal Society, the Academy of Singapore Teachers and Cambridge International Assessment. As well as loving teaching science, I also really enjoy teaching reading and sharing books with children, and have a particular interest in making links between teaching science and English, including using drama to teach, explore and assess science.
Kathy Schofield
I was a PSTA in 2004 whilst teaching at St Edwards, Runcorn. In 2013 I left Manchester Metropolitan University as Senior Lecturer in Primary Science to become inaugural College Director.
Since 2016 I have worked part-time as Area Mentor for Northern Ireland, and currently as Regional Mentor for North Wales pursuing my passion for science. I work with teachers to inspire them to deliver practical science with particular links to cross-curricular topics and active learning outdoors. I take my inspiration from the foundation phase to encourage doing and questioning.
When not working I can be found Nordic Walking, gardening, or playing with my grandchildren.
Katja Rudden
Following my degree in Natural Sciences (with Biology and Chemistry) and the PGCE in ks2 /3 Science, I was a Primary School teacher for about 10 years. During that time I also worked as Leading Teacher for Primary Science for North Yorkshire and supported schools, ran CPD workshops and collaboratively wrote resources, including the new NYCC Science scheme of work for the 2014 curriculum.
In 2014, I became Specialist Leader of Education for the Dales Teaching Schools Alliance and Associate Tutor for York St. John University until I left teaching.
In 2019 I completed my MSc in Psychology, my dissertation looked at the teachers’ perceived link in maths and science ability in children.
Katrina Halford
Since being awarded PSTA, I successfully set up a cluster project incorporating 8 primary and one secondary school where we looked at ways to incorporate science more effectively in Maths and English. I'm currently in a small prep school where I am lucky to have a dedicated science lab so my next project is to establish some community and local business links to enable me to embed a science capital approach. Also, planning to establish some links with other schools.
Kulvinder Johal
Kulvinder Johal was awarded a Primary Science Teaching Award in 2012, endorsed by the Royal Society of Biology. She had been leading science at a large, Multicultural, inner London school for several years. She had led a range of year groups across the primary range until taking over the role of assistant headteacher. She has worked on several whole school developments, like PSQM, the Space Education Quality Mark- Gold standard, RHS level 5 award, and the Healthy school programme. Her last big piece of work before taking up her full-time role at the PSTT was to rewrite the curriculum at her school.
As a PSTT fellow, she was involved in the ‘Growing Music‘ project, supported by Carole Sampey and participated in the Early TAPS work. Kulvinder currently runs a PSTT Barking Cluster, as well as supporting grant and cluster proposals as part of the central PSTT team.
In a wider role, she has been a member of the ASE Primary Science Committee and is currently part of the Science on Stage steering committee. Kulvinder is also part of the Royal Society Partnership Grant committee. She has written for the TES, Primary Science magazine and also helps judge the Teach Primary resource awards. Kulvinder has qualified for a Fellowship of the Chartered College of Teaching (FCCT), SLE qualification and is a Chartered Science Teacher (CSciTeach).
In 2019 Kulvinder took on the role of Regional Mentor for London and the South East. This role allows her to work collaboratively with teachers to promote and inspire them to deliver practical primary science, particularly linking science to cross-curricular topics and active learning outdoors.
When not working for PSTT she enjoys going to the theatre, watching sports and travelling.
Lesley Hunter
After starting her career by teaching physics in post primary schools, Lesley moved into the primary sector over twenty years ago, taking her passion for science with her.
She was seconded to work with a number of schools, with a focus on outdoor learning and then, after returning to her own school, was awarded what was then called the AstraZeneca Primary Science Teaching Award in 2011. Along with another school, she piloted the PSQM Quality mark in Northern Ireland, leading her school to achieve the Gold Award.
Lesley currently works as a primary science consultant, working with individual schools and clusters and helping to design and present courses in Northern Ireland for STEM Learning. She has produced a series of four booklets entitled “Here’s my topic..Where’s my Science?” Her desire to improve the provision of science in all NI schools has seen her frequently meeting with politicians and inspectors and she is also a professional associate with CCEA, an Edina consultant and a member of the Northern Ireland ASE committee.
Despite all this she stills finds time to relax with family and friends, grow vegetables and fiddle round with wood.
Linda McKee
I have 26 years’ experience in primary education. I am currently the STEM coordinator at Antrim Primary School and a member of the SLT.
Over the past nine years I have delivered CPD for NSLC Enthuse Award courses which focus on promoting the learning and teaching of science and STEM projects. I have worked as a Teacher Developer where I modelled Science lessons and shared good practice with teachers in local EA schools. I am a member of the ASE(NI) committee and help to plan and organise ASE Primary Teachmeets.
I promote the development of scientific enquiry through project work including STEM assignments and challenges which are showcased each year at the Young Innovators Exhibition and Science Blast Fair. Under my guidance the school’s F1 team were the overall champions at the UK F1 in Schools national finals in Birmingham and won a trip to the British Grand Prix.
I piloted PSQM in Northern Ireland along with another school and achieved the gold award. In 2012 I proudly became a Primary Science Teaching Trust Fellow and I am now an Area Mentor for Northern Ireland.
Lucy Blackmore
Since winning a PSTA I have continued in my Headteacher role at Ryders Green Primary School.
At the school we are working very hard at ensuring STEM is at the heart of curriculum vision. We would like our children to be able to inquire and investigate. We have a Solar dome, an Imagination Studio and gardens for our KS1 and EYS children to help bring the learning a live for our children.
I am a PSTT Cluster Leader for four schools in Sandwell Local Authority.
Over the past eighteen months I have been leading the school community through the COVID pandemic.
Mark Lynn
In 2013 I won the PSTA. I have enjoyed the role of Science Co-ordinator at my current school and have continued to work closely with my colleagues in regard to encouraging and inspiring quality Science Teaching. During my first year at the school a purpose built Science cabin was created for the children and was officially opened by the legendary children's entertainer, Johnny Ball. I love to create opportunities for the children and recognise the crucial element that Science gives children in preparing them for adult life.
Furthermore I am passionate about getting involved with exciting initiatives. In the future I hope to designate more time into my subject and learn more from my fellow colleagues at the PSTT. I am married with 2 children, aged 14 and 7 which keep me busy throughout weekends and holiday periods!
Michele Grimshaw
Michele Grimshaw joined the Trust as the North West Area Mentor in October 2015 after teaching in a large Primary school in East Lancashire for 20 years. Her experience in this school led to her being appointed as a Leading EAL teacher in the local authority with the main focus being on language development through science.
In 2006 she was awarded an AstraZeneca Primary Science Teaching Award which has resulted in many wonderful opportunities to promote science in the primary school sector and develop her own knowledge and skills. Michele has taught science to PGCE students at Manchester University and has been a member of the Primary Science Editorial Board reviewing and writing. She has worked with ESERO-UK supporting teachers with space science and enthusing children to become the next British Astronaut. This led to her being invited to the ESTEC centre in Holland to meet astronauts who had returned from the ISS.
Michele is passionate about outdoor education and recognises the importance of children and adults reconnecting with the wonders of nature and the benefits this can bring.
When not working in her mentor role for the PSTT she can be found protecting wildlife, bird watching and scanning the sky for meteorite showers.
Nathan Williams
I have been a teacher at St Peter in Thanet CE Junior School for 16 years, where I am the science and wider curriculum lead. We are currently on our PSQM journey where we hope to achieve ‘outreach’, and we have just joined an Ogden Trust Trust partnership. I have an interest in science, history and technology and always push to raise the profile of these subjects in my current position. I feel it is important for children to see the ‘point’ of the subjects that they learn and since winning a PSTA award, I have set out to make sure that the children can see and understand how the science that they learn can be used later in life. I often provide opportunities for children to meet people in the industry and to be inspired by their work.
Neil McAllister
I attended the primary school I now teach in (a few years ago!) and I have now been teaching in Fairview for 17 years. I lead The World Around Us which includes science, a subject I have loved developing in school and through my local cluster which I lead. I have led my school to PSQM Gold and we are just embarking on renewing the award. Taking part in The Great Science Share each year is always a highlight, showcasing the great work going on in my school. It makes me proud as a leader! It even inspired me to write an article for Primary Science magazine. Outside of school, I love family time, especially camping, running, cycling and playing cricket.
Nicola Connor
Nicola has an MEd in Early Years Pedagogue from Strathclyde University, she is interested in Early Years (Nursery-P3) and providing science/stem opportunities through play.
Nicola is currently seconded from a class teacher on the RAISE (Raising Aspirations in Science Education) programme in conjunction with Education Scotland and the Wood Foundation. She is working with primary schools and teachers from across West Lothian to embed practical science and stem in their curriculum and to raise teachers confidence in providing these opportunities in their classrooms.
Peter Sainsbury
Peter has been a Fellow of the Primary Science Teaching Trust since 2010. Teaching in a wide variety of schools, Middle, Junior and Primary (Key Stage 1 and 2), school leadership and the classroom have always taken equal place. He has twice held Deputy and Acting Headships as well as being a Governor of several schools. Being a member of the Association for the Study of Primary Education (ASPE), National Executive helped maintain and develop a useful perspective. Currently, Peter is a member of the Royal Microscopical Society, serving on the Outreach and Education group. Incorporating his interest in succession leadership and science, have been important to him and led to the setting up of several Deputy Head groups and a science cluster network in the Salisbury area.
Through becoming part of the PSTT College, the opportunities have been widened. New ventures include running workshops for teachers and children, writing the odd article for publications including Primary Science, In Focus and the School Science Review. Whilst the majority of his role is now for the Trust, as the PSTT Cluster Direcotr, he continues to be a classroom practitioner working part time at Winterbourne Earls CE Primary school, Wiltshire. At present, he particularly enjoys exploring the links and benefits of cross curricular work between Science, Religious Education, Art and Microscopy. Other priorities for the future remain supportive, innovative collaborations and the development of school networks (clusters).
Robin James
Robin started teaching aged 30 becoming a fellow in 2013 after leading two projects shortlisted for Rolls-Royce Science Prizes. The second of these involved children from three other local primaries racing sand yachts on Exmouth’s beach and Robin continues to work in partnership with these schools. His interest in film as an assessment tool led to Stop Watch, a technique researched for his education MA. In 2019, Robin’s Hula-hoop Hundreds-and-thousands Hadron Collider idea for introducing young children to particle physics was exhibited at Science on Stage in Portugal. Robin has written articles for Primary Science. He enjoys camper-vanning and canoeing.
Ruth Shallcross
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.
Ruth Smith
I gained my PSTA in 2014 while working as teaching Head of a rural Primary in North Yorkshire, and since then have become a co-opted Governor in a Federation of four schools feeding in to a local Secondary school. I am Governor with responsibility for Primary and also the link Governor for one of those Primary schools – which coincidentally both my children attended some years ago!
As my ‘day job’ I lead a Royal Society of Chemistry team of Education Coordinators based across the North and Midlands of England. We seek to support teachers according to need, including Primary Science Quality Mark (PSQM) hubs in the region. All our support to teachers is free at the point of access as part of our charitable aims.
Sarah Eames
Sarah Eames is a part-time year 4/5 primary teacher at Sandfield Close in Leicester. She began teaching in 1992 and still thinks it’s the best job in the world. In 2008, she was given the role of Science lead, and her teaching of science was transformed by excellent courses and other inspirational teachers, this gave her a renewed energy for teaching. Sarah firmly believes that science uses the skills of literacy and numeracy in a real context and should be a core part of every school’s curriculum. She is passionate about the environment and sustainability. Sandfield , under Sarah's leadership gained the Gold Primary Science Quality Mark and she is now a hub leader. Sarah is an active member of the ASE and gained her Chartered Science Teacher status in 2012. Also in 2012 she proudly became a Primary Science Teaching Trust Fellow and is now an Area Mentor and runs a successful PSTT Cluster in Leicester.
Sue Martin
Sue Martin has been a Fellow of the Primary Science Teacher College since 2011. Her teaching career began as a secondary school science teacher; she became a Head of Physics before taking a career break to raise a family and deciding to move to the primary sector as a specialist science teacher. Sue worked as a Deputy Headteacher, during which time she et up and ran her own consultancy business, Wow Science!, supporting schools to develop their primary science provisions.
Becoming a full-time consultant in 2012, Sue led CPD sessions and support for EYFS, KS1 and KS2 teachers, trainee teachers and teaching assistants, and also delivered children’s workshops, holiday camps and shows. She wrote and edited commercial materials for TTS Group and Twig World and for various teaching magazines. Sue supported a number of schools as part of a PSTT funded project to develop investigative science in primary schools. Sue worked as a Headteacher in Bournemouth before joining PSTT as its Programme Director in 2016 and becoming COO in 2022.
Tom Holloway
Tom Holloway was awarded a Primary Science Teacher of the Year Award in 2013, endorsed by the Royal Society of Chemistry.
Before joining the PSTT, he was a classroom teacher for 10 years and a Science Leader for 8. Always passionate and enthusiastic about science, he became a PSQM hub leader, Ogden Trust Trust teacher fellow and the Science Leader for the Glyn Learning Foundation. He successfully led his school to a PSQM Gold Award, set up dedicated science labs in 3 schools and developed educational resources for the Royal Society of Chemistry (where he was the member of their Primary Teaching Advisory Group). He has delivered CPD for the Surrey and Sussex STEM Science Learning Partnerships and organised large science events for hundreds of children at the University of Surrey.
Tom is now a Regional Mentor for the PSTT. He supports schools in Surrey, Sussex, Kent and Hampshire to develop their curriculums and teaching to ensure that their pupils receive and outstanding science education and are engaged and enthused by the subject.
Tom Jones
I have lead science alongside other roles at my current school for seven years. In that time the school has gained Primary Science Quality Mark Silver, Gold and Outreach Awards. I deliver science training on several ITT programmes in the North East and co-lead the Newcastle Science Network Meetings. Currently I am part of the Primary Science Capital Project with University College London and other fellows from PSTT.
Tracy Tyrrell
I became a teacher later in life after beginning my working life in a research laboratory and having three children. I am a CPD addict and love to discover new ideas and resources for the teaching and learning of science. Over my time at Irchester, I have led the school through PSQM three times and I have just started as a PSQM hubleader, helping other schools through the same process.
Since winning a PSTA, I have undertaken a research project on assessing children's prior knowledge and have since written a book called 'Explore, Engage, Extend' which aims to support this area and subsequent planning. I am part of a PSTT funded cluster of five schools and I am also part of the Primary Science Capital research project with University College London.
Vanessa Seehra
I personally really enjoyed learning Science at school and as a result I continued to study within this field, completing a degree in Biological Sciences at the University of Leicester. I then made the decision to move into teaching, and throughout my career I have remained passionate about bringing Science to life in my classroom and school. In 2016 I completed a Masters in Education at the University of East London, I used my learning from this to support me in driving change to further develop Science teaching and learning practices across our school and beyond. I have supported teachers to develop dialogic teaching strategies in Science lessons to support their children to develop a deeper understanding of scientific concepts. A large part of this work also focused upon developing children’s enquiry based learning experiences and ensuring that children have the opportunity to build upon their scientific enquiry skills. Through this work I was able to successfully lead our school to achieving a Primary Science Gold Quality Mark.
The majority of my career has been spent teaching within the Early Years and Key Stage One, and as an Early Years Specialist Leader of education I have made strong links between the ‘creative and critical thinking skills’ element of the Early Years curriculum and the scientific enquiry skills. This has enabled me to develop the teaching and learning practices within the Early Years to ensure that interactions between adults and children provide opportunities for children to develop and build upon scientific enquiry skills from a young age.
