PSTT is delighted to announce the generous support of the Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers, whose funding has provided essential science resources to schools in our priority areas initiative.
PSTT’s Priority Areas Initiative supports schools in regions with high levels of pupil premium, where access to science CPD and engagement with science organisations has been limited. Thanks to this funding, schools in the Medway, North Thames Estuary and Edmonton priority areas have received a range of high-quality science equipment including hand lenses, microscopes, binoculars and rainbow viewers, enabling thousands of pupils to experience hands-on science learning.
Transforming science learning across three priority areas
Across 30 schools in the Medway, North Thames Estuary and Edmonton areas, the impact of this support has been immediate and inspiring. Science leaders and teachers have expressed their excitement at receiving these resources, recognising their potential to deepen pupils’ scientific understanding and curiosity.
“The science leaders felt like Christmas had come early,” said Kulvinder Johal, PSTT Priority Areas Mentor, reflecting on the enthusiasm of teachers as they received new equipment.
At Winter Gardens Academy, year 2 pupils recently took a trip to explore microhabitats at their local lake, using the magnifying glasses and rainbow viewers to investigate the environment up close.
“This allowed the children to become more hands-on in their learning,” a teacher at the school shared. “We can’t wait to use the rest of the equipment!
Similarly, at Barnsole Primary School, pupils aged 3 to 11 have been using the donated hand lenses and magnifying glasses, sparking conversations about materials, close observation and scientific investigation.
“Just seeing that the lenses are made from glass has made children think about materials in a new way,” a teacher explained.
In the Edmonton Priority Area, the impact has been just as profound. One year 6 class at Churchfield Primary integrated their new binoculars into a data handling lesson, where pupils spotted different bird species and created tally charts and bar graphs based on their findings.
A pupil shared their excitement: “I have never used a pair of binoculars before and it was amazing to see living things closer than I ever have before.”
Meanwhile, at Chesterfield Primary, pupils used magnifying glasses to study rocks, fossils and even meteorites. One teacher noted, “The children were fascinated by how much detail they could see –this has sparked so much curiosity in their lessons.”
Providing practical resources where they are needed most
In the North Thames Estuary Priority Area, this funding has helped schools refresh and expand their science equipment, replacing outdated materials and significantly increasing access to hands-on resources. For some, this has meant a complete transformation of their science provision, ensuring that every pupil now has the opportunity to engage with high-quality practical science experiences.
The arrival of usable high-quality resources has made a significant difference. Teachers now have enough materials to plan hands-on engaging lessons where every pupil can participate.
“Having enough resources meant staff could finally get practical with the children,” said PSTT’s Kulvinder Johal. “Lessons now have more depth, added quality and rich scientific vocabulary.”
A lasting impact on science education
In total, over 6,000 pupils across the three Priority Areas have directly benefited from the donated
equipment, which is being used both inside and outside the classroom.
PSTT was also honoured to welcome David Wilkinson, the Immediate Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers and Mandy Wilkinson, the Immediate Past Mistress, to a school visit, where they met with teachers and helped distribute resources.
We extend our sincere gratitude to the Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers for their generous support, helping to enrich science education for pupils in underserved areas.
To learn more about our priority areas initiative, visit: https://pstt.org.uk/support/priority-areas-
initiative/
