Pilgrim School Science Department

Winner: 2021 Team Prize for Excellence in Secondary and Further Education

The Pilgrim School, Lincolnshire

For planning and facilitating a move from theoretical to hands-on practical science, for a broad age range of students with special educational medical needs both face to face and remotely.

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Historically at the Pilgrim School (a multi-base community special hospital school) it had been said that practical science could not be done. The team has proven that not only can it be done, but that students can be inspired, enjoy and learn from hands-on science – and they always want to do more.

To begin with, resources were a challenge for the team, including the small matter of not having a dedicated Science laboratory, however resourceful teachers were determined; firstly starting with ‘substitute’ equipment such as yoghurt pots, then moving to more traditional scientific equipment, so that students are able to use the ‘correct’ equipment for their experiments.

As Pilgrim School is a hospital school with students who have complex physical and mental health needs, including students with Autism, the team enabled them to access traditional chemistry experiments by using alternative low risk chemicals often found in the home.

Science is a collaborative effort – everyone helps us build a bigger picture of the world around us. As Newton said ‘If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants’.

The team

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Sharon Smith, Assistant Headteacher/Head of Science
Steve Lingard, Assistant Headteacher/Teacher of Science
Ben Dunn, Teacher of Science
Sam Stanier, Teacher of Science
Glenn Fyfe, Teacher of Science
Scott Archibald, Teacher of Science

Q+A

How did you first become interested in chemistry?

Sharon Smith Head of Science: I first became interested in Chemistry at primary school right back in the 80s. I was lucky enough to have an inspirational teacher who just showed us a couple of simple demonstrations – after that I was hooked!

Ben Dunn: At high school, we had a chemistry teacher who would make smoke bombs and stink bombs and generally teach through experiments that were not always on the curriculum!

Who or what has inspired you?

Sharon Smith: The children we work with inspire me to think outside the box for ways in which they can experience chemistry in a safe way.

Ben Dunn: The question from students: Can we blow anything up?!

What motivates you?

Sharon Smith: The children we work with are amazing and so grateful for the small things. When others have given up on them and say they can’t do chemistry, we say they can!l

Ben Dunn: Having students see or do something and say, wow!

What advice would you give to a young person considering a career in chemistry?

Sharon Smith: Work hard to learn the basic concepts of Chemistry – learn about the atom, energy and the periodic table and you’ve got it made. The human race will always need to solve problems and Chemistry will be a major part of that. No matter how small you have to start there is always a way through – be hopeful and you will become a great Chemist.

Glenn Fyfe: Also think about other applications for Chemistry, such as Chemical Engineering

Ben Dunn: Do it, you’ll have a lot of fun finding out which specialisation you want to go into.

What has been a highlight for you?

Ben Dunn: Vinegar and baking soda bottle rockets. Kids find the best ways for them to fly dangerously far!

What has been a challenge for you (either personally or in your career)?

Scott Archibald: Coming from an engineering background, Chemistry was one of my weaker sciences, but through the support of the rest of the Science team, I have learnt to love the subject

How can good science education support solving global challenges?

Glenn Fyfe: More scientists increase the chances of the next big discovery, for example solving the problem on reliance of fossil fuels

Why do you think teamwork is important in science?

Sam Stanier: It is important for me as a non-specialist to get the support and encouragement so that I understand concepts and then I can inspire the students to do the same!

Scott Archibald: Science is a collaborative effort – everyone helps us build a bigger picture of the world around us. As Newton said ‘If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants’.

Ben Dunn: Nothing important was ever developed alone.