Science Learning Partnerships

The STEM Learning network supports a vision to achieve a world-leading STEM education for all young people across the UK. Please also see our Computing Hubs page.

STEM Learning's Science Learning Partnerships (SLPs) combine local expertise in teaching and learning in science, facilitating CPD, and providing school-to-school support.

They are led by schools and colleges with cutting-edge expertise in science themselves who collaborate closely with local partners.

What can the Science Learning Partnership (SLP) offer me?

Science Learning Partnerships (SLP) across the country coordinate and facilitate continuous professional development (CPD) in science, combining local expertise in teaching and learning with specific school-to-school support.

There are a variety of opportunities to access science CPD via the SLP, with networks, conferences, courses and standalone sessions running throughout the year. These are designed to provide impactful, subject specific CPD for all members of the science department, from Early Career teachers to heads of department, technicians and even SLT leads and governors.

Where are the regional Science Learning Partnerships?

Thornden School manages the Hampshire and Dorset Science Learning Partnership (SLP), which aims to provide quality, subject specific CPD for Primary, Secondary and FE providers throughout the region.
Downlands Community School manages the Sussex and Surrey Science Learning Partnership (SLP).

Led by Thornden School

Email: Steve Smith s.smith@hispmat.org

Website (click here)

@HantsDorsetSLP

Led by Downlands Community School

Email: Sussex-SurreySLP@downlands.org

Website (click here)

@downlandslearn

Science Learning Partnership (Sussex and Surrey STEM Learning) at Downlands

Science Learning Partnership at Downlands

Downlands Community School coordinates and manages the Sussex & Surrey Science Learning Partnership (SLP), which provides quality, subject specific continuous professional development (CPD) for primary and secondary schools, and FE providers in the region.

We are your local curriculum hub for science, serving schools and colleges in these areas: Adur, Arun, Brighton and Hove, Chichester, Crawley, Eastbourne, Elmbridge, Epsom and Ewell, Guildford, Hastings, Horsham, Lewes, Mid Sussex, Mole Valley, Reigate and Banstead, Rother,
Runnymede, Spelthorne, Surrey Heath, Tandridge, Waverley, Wealden, Woking and Worthing.

Science support

We provide teachers, technicians and other educators with high impact, subject-specific professional development in science. We offer:

inspirational professional development, delivered by experienced educators
development of your teaching practice to improve pupil outcomes
bespoke CPD designed to match your development needs
the chance to develop science curriculums
networking opportunities with other schools in our region

Click on the images below to browse courses and training you may be interested in:

Primary CPD

Secondary CPD

Post-16 CPD

Physics support

Meet the team

Mrs Claire Davies – Assistant Head Teacher & Sussex & Surrey SLP Lead

Ms Helen Colvert – Primary Expert

Dr Karen van den Dolder – Secondary Education Lead Administrator

Mrs Gaby Sutton – Surrey Co-ordinator, 6th Form & Further Education Administrator

Mrs Kate West – SLP Marketing Officer, Primary Administrator

Email: Sussex-SurreySLP@downlands.org

Science Learning Partnership at Thornden School

Welcome to the Dorset and Hampshire Science Learning Partnership led by the HISP Multi Academy Trust. We are your local curriculum hub for science, serving schools and colleges in Basingstoke, Eastleigh, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth, Southampton, Winchester, Dorset, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

Science support

We provide teachers, technicians and other educators with high impact, subject-specific professional development in science. We offer:

inspirational professional development, delivered by experienced educators
development of your teaching practice to improve pupil outcomes
bespoke CPD designed to match your development needs
the chance to develop science curriculums
networking opportunities with other schools in our region

A wealth of CPD can be found by clicking on the images below. Some online courses which may be of particular interest are:

Supporting memory: strategies and techniques to retain and retrieve knowledge in science

Session 1: Tues 21^st November 3.30-4.30pm 
Session 2: Tues 28^th November 3.30-4.30pm 
Session 3: Tuesday 12^th December 3.30-4.30pm 
Session 4: Tues 9^th Jan 3.30-4.30pm

Click here for more information.

Leading on secondary science curriculum design

Session 1: Tues 31^st Oct 3.30-4.30pm 
Session 2: Tues 7^th November 3.30-4.30pm 
Session 3: Tues 14^th November 3.30-4.30pm

Click here for more information.

Subject knowledge enhancement : Physics KS4

Weds 1^st Nov (3:30pm - 4:30pm) 
Weds 15^th Nov (3:30pm - 4:30pm) 
Weds 29^th Nov (3:30pm - 4:30pm) 
Weds 13^th Dec (3:30pm - 4:30pm

Click here for more information.

Subject knowledge enhancement: Chemistry KS4

All 3.45-4.45pm

Thurs 30^th Nov
Thurs 7^th Dec
Thurs 14^th Dec

Click here for more information.

Primary CPD

Secondary CPD

Post-16 CPD

Physics support

Why & How Magazine (The Primary Science Teaching Trust)

Have a look at the recent issue of Why & How Magazine. Plenty of free resources and information regarding science education. It has content specifically designed to support not just science subject leaders, but all teachers. Click on the image or download from the bottom of this page:

Spring 2024

In this issue:

Stay current on PSTT News
Register for Professional Learning Opportunities starting this month
Join Explorify's Art Competition and share new activities with your children
Find out about young people’s STEM aspirations and a resource that addresses inequities in science education through our Wider Collaborations
Discover new Resources that promote science conversation based on a living wall and links science with art
Get involved with Climate Science by tackling plastic waste and increasing biodiversity in your community
Explore how soundscapes can help restore coral reefs in the Did you know? article and teacher guide
Learn Key Dates for the term

A picture for talk

Click on the picture to download it. Ask the children to discuss, in groups of three, the following questions:

What can you see in the picture?
What kind of building do you think it is?
Why do you think this?
How many different plants can you see in the picture?
How do you think the plants got there?

After the children have shared their initial ideas about the picture, tell the children that the photograph is of a living wall on a library in Canada and encourage them to think about the advantages and disadvantages of living walls.