Varndean is the lead school in an Ogden Trust schools partnership, which aims to improve physics teaching and learning and build enthusiasm for physics at all ages. The partnership is led by Angie Brookes and brings together 12 primary schools as well as Varndean School and Varndean College and Hill Park School. The partnership has received over £7500 in direct funding to date, as well as training and equipment for all schools.
Following staff training, Varndean students have benefitted from a revamped KS3 curriculum, which aims to give them a secure base of understanding before beginning the GCSE courses. Students have particularly benefited from increased modelling of physical concepts.
Senior students at Varndean have worked really hard to bring physics to life for the primary schools, delivering workshops on electricity.
As part of the partnership, Angie has organised an annual Physics Lecture for families with over 200 attendees. Topics last year included: astrophysics, medical physics and engineering
Head teacher Shelley Baker says "it’s fantastic to be leading this work in Science and driving improvement and enthusiasm across our network - I know our primary schools are enjoying the chance to have specialist science in their schools for their children.”
Primary schools are also benefiting from a full day of training each year covering the KS2 physics topics, as well as hundreds of pounds of equipment for each school. Pupils have also taken part in enrichment activities such as building and racing balloon cars and designing their own Rube Goldberg machines to develop their identities as scientists.
Partnership leader Angie Brookes says "The opportunity to work with the science coordinators from the local primaries has been brilliant, they have welcomed the professional development and the science kit they received has been put to excellent use! I have been able to take Varndean students in Year 8 and Year 10 out to the local primary schools to lead physics workshops. All involved gained from these very positive experiences."
Ogden Trust representative Dr Rose Lerner says "Angie's passion for promoting physics shines through every interaction. She is passionate about improving opportunities for all and is having a big impact on teachers and pupils across the partnership."
Full list of partnership schools: Varndean School, Balfour Primary School, Downs Junior School, St Martin's CofE Primary School, Elm Grove Primary School, St Luke's Primary School, Hertford Primary School, Queen's Park Primary School, Brackenbury Primary School, Mile Oak Primary School, St Margaret's CE Primary School, Hill Park School, Carden Primary School, Carlton Hill Primary School, Varndean College, Hill Park School.
