Wednesday 17 April 2013 The Junior School at The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL) has scooped a national award for an innovative week of science activities based on the theme of ‘invention and discovery’. Junior School renamed itself ‘The Incredible Institute of Inventors’ for National Science & Engineering Week (NSEW) and filled the timetable with inspiring activities ranging from rocket science to recycling, and sound science to spacesuits. The children even invited some silver scientists – their grandparents – into school to discuss how technology has changed lives through the generations. This imaginative interpretation of the ‘invention and discovery’ theme, set by the week’s organisers the British Science Association, earned the school the NSEW Event Award in the ‘Best primary school event’ category. The category was open to schools from across the UK, with the three finalists receiving a visit from the judges during NSEW in March. Award judge Hannah Stretton, Regional Programmes Officer at the British Science Association, said: “The teachers had clearly gone the extra mile to make this year’s National Science & Engineering Week special for their pupils. We were particularly impressed with the way that the entire school embraced our theme of ‘invention and discovery’ and used it to explore how the sciences, technology and engineering can relate to subjects across the curriculum.” Junior School’s science leader Gwen Lindsey coordinated the week’s activities, assisted by teacher Hayley Darby-Brown. She said: “We are thrilled and proud to win the event award; it is wonderful to receive recognition for the hard work that everyone put in. “We wanted to excite and inspire the children, challenge them to think differently and develop an insight into innovation and the process of invention. The pupils were excellent ambassadors for GSAL and impressed the visiting judges with their enthusiasm, knowledge and behaviour.” Head of Junior School Robert Lilley said: “It was fantastic to see the creative talents of the staff and the inquiring nature of the children combine to give Science Week such a buzz. We are lucky to have a graduate scientist leading our provision in this area and this award is a testament to Mrs Lindsey’s hard work and technical expertise.” Pictured: Mrs Gwen Lindsey with Year 6 pupils l-r Lucy-Anne Daniels and Miah Grinion in the Junior School science lab General Primary News
