Education student earns national teaching award

A student from University of Northampton (UON) has made it to the top of the class for her approach and dedication to teaching science.

Georgia Butler has only just finished her degree in Primary Education (5-11) but recently had good news that she won the the Primary Science Enhancement Award (PSEA) for Initial Teacher Education.

This award – from the Primary Science Teaching Trust – enables student teachers to increase their experience and understanding of teaching and learning in primary science. It also supports student teachers to develop additional reflective practice development in primary science during the initial teacher education phase.

After receiving the PSEA, student teachers* can start their careers with increased competence and confidence when teaching science, equipped to take up future school leadership positions in science.

Georgia gained new strengths ranging from making cross-curricular links between science and additional subjects to developing scientific enquiry skills in pupils during the PSEA scheme. She says: “During the scheme I’ve learnt in more depth the importance of learning outside the classroom and a wider variety of practical activities that can be used across a range of topics to support learning and assessment.

“What’s great about the scheme is the flexibility to focus on what you need or want to personally improve on whilst keeping a bank of the activities for future teaching. Reflecting upon each part of the scheme has also encouraged me to become more critical of my own practice and find inventive ways to support all children.

“My supervisor – UON Senior Lecturer in Education Helen Tiplady – has given brilliant support throughout in discussing how the range of activities could be applied to placements and how to effectively reflect upon these. With my own class I have already put some of the knowledge and skills I’ve gained into practice in my science lessons.

“I wanted to become a teacher to give children the best start in life and inspire them to achieve their potential and more, both academically and socially. Teaching is so important to provide an educational family in which children can feel comfortable in to develop and become passionate and curious learners.”

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*106 student teachers from across the UK have been awarded the PSEA for ITE this year. These new teachers are encouraged to develop their skills with the support of the Primary Science Teaching Trust, while expanding their work in primary science education.