The week began with launch assemblies held in schools across the Trust, where pupils were encouraged to think like scientists and record the scientific questions they were curious about. Throughout the week, pupils shared thoughtful and imaginative questions, which were explored further through classroom discussions led by teachers and science ambassadors.

Many schools also held a science-themed dress-up day, with pupils and staff arriving as inspiring scientists or in creative science-inspired costumes such as parts of plants, states of matter, chemical symbols and space-themed ideas. It was a fun and engaging way to celebrate science while sparking conversation across the school community.

All primary schools also took part in a Trust-wide competition, where pupils investigated their own scientific questions and presented their ideas in a variety of creative ways, including posters, models, speeches, drawings and digital presentations. Winners from EYFS, KS1, LKS2 and UKS2 were selected in each school before entries were shared across the Trust.

During the week, classes also participated in a range of engaging lessons and activities using resources from the British Science Association and Plymouth Science.

Ceri King, Science Lead at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Bishop’s Stortford, shared that as part of the Trust’s oracy focus, pupils explored big scientific questions such as: What do you wonder about every day? What questions might scientists ask in 100 years? What would happen if there were no scientists? And how can curiosity change the world? These discussions encouraged pupils to share ideas, explain their thinking and listen to the perspectives of others.

She added that it was a fantastic week filled with curiosity, creativity and scientific thinking, and it was wonderful to see so many pupils inspired to ask questions about the world around them.

About St Francis of Assisi Catholic Academy Trust (https://www.stfrancistrust.net)

St Francis of Assisi Catholic Academy Trust (St Francis Trust) is a multi-academy trust established in 2021. It currently serves nine Catholic schools – eight primary schools and one secondary school and which is growing to welcome two more Secondary schools and four more Primary schools over the next one to two years.

The Trust’s mission is to provide an outstanding Catholic education for all the children in our schools, helping them to grow in faith and reach their full potential. Guided by the values of St Francis, the Trust promotes academic excellence, spiritual development, and service to others