We are seeking a full-time Primary Science Mentor to join our team of experts at the Primary Science Teaching Trust. This role involves leading our second Priority Areas initiative and delivering tailored training and support as a Regional Mentor. Applicants should be based in one of the following regions: East Midlands, North-East England, North-West England or the South Wales Valleys.
About the Primary Science Teaching Trust (PSTT)
PSTT is a registered charity with a clear vision – we want to see excellent teaching of science in every primary classroom in the UK. We believe it is vital that children are engaged and inspired by science from an early age. We want to draw on their natural curiosity to help them explore, understand and ask questions about the world around them. Scientific skills and knowledge are essential for every child, whether or not they become a scientist, engineer or medic.
We’ve built a Primary Science Teacher College of over 200 outstanding teachers; each helping to shape and influence science teaching across the UK. We produce great resources that improve how science is taught and planned, including through the award-winning Explorify website. We work with local clusters of schools in 28 areas, with teacher training institutions, and with partner organisations to develop their own highly effective primary science tools. Our new strategy is building on these strengths to reach more teachers across a more diverse range of schools. We’re dedicating our most intensive efforts to areas of the UK requiring most development in primary science.
We’re dedicating our most intensive efforts to areas of the UK requiring most development in primary science. Our Priority Areas initiative is being piloted in 30 schools, and in September 2025 we plan to launch this programme in a further 30 schools. Our Regional Mentors have worked with more than 3,000 schools across England, with exceptionally positive feedback.
Job summary
There are two parts to the Primary Science Mentor role. The majority of the role will focus on strengthening primary science teaching and leadership by leading our second Priority Areas initiative. Through their knowledge of and passion for primary science education, the successful candidate will inspire transformational change in schools taking part in this project. They will build close working relationships with participating schools and create a vibrant and exciting learning community based on mutual support and the sharing of expertise.
The remaining hours in the role will be as a Regional Mentor: joining PSTT’s growing team of primary science experts who provide bespoke support directly to individual schools, multi-academy trusts and other school groupings and organisations. This includes developing and delivering training in a variety of contexts, including online; working individually with Science Leaders; being a leading voice, expert and advocate for primary science (both regionally and nationally); and creating partnerships with other organisations that support science within the region.
A crucial part of the role is to ensure collection of appropriate data for both Priority Areas and Regional Mentor activities, so that we can evaluate our work against intended outcomes.
Key facts about this role
Salary PSTT band E(ii): starting salary £49,149
A cost-of-living increase will be applied on 1 September 2025; amount TBC.
Pension and benefits Employer pension scheme, sick pay and maternity/paternity/adoption pay as detailed in our pay and reward scheme
Location Home based. Please note the geographical criteria on p.5 of the Application Pack.
Hours 35 hours per week (full time), usually worked between Monday-Friday. You may occasionally be required to work during evenings and weekends.
Contractual basis 2 years
Travel The job requires extensive travel to schools within the Primary Science Mentor’s working region, and sometimes beyond that region (including occasional meetings at PSTT’s Bristol office). Expenses will be reimbursed.
Line manager Director of Regional Programme
Start date 1 September 2025
Potential for some work prior to 1 September to support with identification and recruitment of schools (to be discussed at interview).
Annual leave 28 days (of which 3 must be taken during the Christmas closure period) plus public holidays
Job responsibilities
Priority Areas:
- Support establishment of new Priority Areas projects in the agreed areas:
- Work with Director of Regional Programme, headteachers and others as required to finalise participating schools’ commitment and engagement with the project
- Ensure that participating schools complete the initial baseline surveys
- Drive the development of primary science in Priority Areas schools:
- Develop CPD sessions that link to PSTT’s Support Framework and are tailored to the needs of participating schools
- Use survey data and teacher feedback to inform the support provided
- Deliver planned core CPD sessions to teachers in all schools, whether collectively, in groups or individually
- Support science leads to monitor and assess developments within their schools
- Provide further ongoing help and advice between planned CPD sessions: face-to-face, over Teams, email or phone
- Support teachers within Priority Areas to share practice, network and collaborate
- Help secure other sources of funding and support for Priority Areas from local or national STEM businesses and organisations
- Work with other primary science partners in the Priority Areas or wider region, as appropriate for schools’ needs.
- Assess Priority Area schools’ requests for funding, and work with the PSTT finance department to keep accurate records of expenditure on project activities.
Priority Areas responsibilities will comprise approximately 75% of your working time over a year.
Regional Mentor activities:
- Provide expert support to schools outside Priority Areas to develop their science provision:
- Provide bespoke training, advice and guidance to science leaders and other teachers, drawing on PSTT’s Support Framework
- Teach model science lessons
- Ensure guidance and support is based on best practice and high-quality resources
- Maximise numbers supported by delivering to groups of schools where possible
- Develop business opportunities at regional level:
- Charge for all Regional Mentor services provided in line with PSTT’s table of charges
- Develop relationships with multi-academy trusts, teaching alliances, LEAs or other structures/providers, and maximise opportunities to provide them with services
- Identify new revenue raising opportunities for PSTT and share these with the Director of Regional Programme and other Regional Mentors
- Contribute to delivery of PSTT’s wider programme of conferences, webinars and CPD.
For both areas of work:
- Ensure appropriate data collection and monitoring against intended outcomes:
- Ensure participating schools provide data required by PSTT to effectively monitor and evaluate our activities
- Use PSTT’s CRM database to manage interactions with schools
- Work closely with Directors to further develop data collection approaches as needed
- Promote nominations for PSTT’s annual Primary Science Teacher Awards within the region.
- Report to your manager on progress, identifying any areas for further development and improvement.
- Take on any other responsibilities that your manager may reasonably delegate to you.
How to apply
- Please contact Tom Holloway, Director of Regional Programme ([email protected]), to arrange an informal discussion if:
- You would like more information before deciding whether to apply; or
- You would like confirmation of whether your proposed areas are eligible for the Priority Areas initiative.
- Complete the official application form and return this to [email protected] by the deadline of 5.00pm, Monday 5 May 2025. Please note that it is particularly important to complete the Supporting Statement as fully as possible. This section helps us to understand how you meet the key job criteria, and our shortlisting process will rely significantly on this statement. Please don’t send a CV or other information, as these will not be considered when shortlisting.
- Please complete our Equal Opportunities Monitoring questionnaire. Completing the survey is optional but provides PSTT with valuable information about the diversity of applicants. It is anonymous and we will not consider it as part of the application process. Please do not send us a copy of the completed survey.
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