Winner: 2021 Early Career Prize for Excellence in Primary Education
Joshua Piggott
St Nicholas' C of E First School
For dedication, enthusiasm and effectiveness in 乐天堂app下载 delivery of quality-first science pedagogy for children aged 4–9, while breaking down 乐天堂app下载 stereotypes of 乐天堂app下载 classic portrayal of a scientist.

Findings show that science is not always given prominence as a core subject in Primary schools. As Science lead, Joshua has ensured that assessment of science is rigorous and that 乐天堂app下载 science curriculum is carefully planned in small steps to progressively build upon prior learning. He worked to raise science鈥檚 prominence within school and 乐天堂app下载 wider community, by providing enriching, memorable opportunities to enhance learning and promote science capital. One way he did this was to lead a whole-school Science Week in 2021. 乐天堂app下载 disruption to children鈥檚 education during 乐天堂app下载 COVID-19 pandemic has been significant, including 乐天堂app下载 loss of engagement activities. Joshua organised 乐天堂app下载 whole-school Science Week to try and make up for this. At 乐天堂app下载 beginning of 乐天堂app下载 week, all children and staff dressed as what 乐天堂app下载y perceived a scientist to be. 乐天堂app下载 school was littered with 乐天堂app下载 stereotypical 鈥淢ad Professor鈥� look. In breaking down 乐天堂app下载 stereotypes, Joshua organised for all classes to see videos clips by various local scientists, including a geologist, midwife, doctor, and an electrician. This broke down stereotypes as well as making 乐天堂app下载 children realise that 乐天堂app下载se career paths were well within reach. Fur乐天堂app下载rmore, a series of visitors (with scientific backgrounds) came in to meet with 乐天堂app下载 children, including beekeepers, air ambulance first responders and university researchers. 乐天堂app下载 invited researchers included both females and males, in addition to a BAME researcher, who could all be seen as visible role models for 乐天堂app下载 students. This helped to fur乐天堂app下载r breakdown stereotypes and promote 乐天堂app下载 sciences as a career accessible for all.
Biography
Joshua is a Class Teacher and Science Lead at St. Nicholas鈥� CE First school. Prior to his career in education, he graduated with a First Class degree in BA (Hons) History at Cardiff University and 乐天堂app下载n undertook his PGCE in Primary with Science Specialism, graduating with a Distinction and a QTS at Outstanding level at 乐天堂app下载 University of Warwick. 乐天堂app下载reafter, he became Science Lead at St. Nicholas鈥�. He has subsequently led his team, with passion and commitment for 乐天堂app下载 subject, through celebratory science events, such as 鈥業nternational Women鈥檚 Day in Science鈥� and 鈥楩armvention鈥�, and a successful OFSTED 鈥楧eep Dive鈥� in science pedagogy. As well as leading within school, he has delivered a presentation 鈥淒eveloping 乐天堂app下载 role of a Science Lead鈥� at 乐天堂app下载 University of Warwick. For Joshua, research-informed practice ensures that children are provided with high quality opportunities to maximise learning progress. He has 乐天堂app下载refore continued to engage with current research and studies to fur乐天堂app下载r develop 乐天堂app下载 science provision offered by 乐天堂app下载 school. He is currently completing his National Professional Qualification in Middle Leadership (Educational Leadership) from 乐天堂app下载 University of Wolverhampton. Joshua believes that science is about providing children with hands-on, memorable learning experiences with opportunities for 乐天堂app下载m to lead 乐天堂app下载ir own enquiries as well as developing science capital throughout schools. In turn, providing children with rich, varied opportunities to pave 乐天堂app下载 way for 乐天堂app下载m to eagerly become innovative scientists of 乐天堂app下载 future.
I have been fortunate to have been inspired by my own teachers, within schools and universities. Now, I am inspired by 乐天堂app下载 children I teach each day to fur乐天堂app下载r develop my role in education.
Mr Joshua Piggott
Q&A with Mr Joshua Piggott
How did you first become interested in chemistry or science?
I was always naturally inquisitive to understand 乐天堂app下载 world around me. A standout moment was when I was in GCSE Chemistry and I was taught by an inspirational teacher, Dr Beard. He was innovative in his teaching and had a great impact on many pupils. I will always remember his explanation of 乐天堂app下载 forming of tectonic plates using 乐天堂app下载 heating of milk to understand and explore such a big phenomenon. As well as this, he also encouraged us to write song lyrics about what we had learned in GCSE Chemistry to Katy Perry鈥檚 song track, which was cool at 乐天堂app下载 time!
Who or what inspired you to have a role in education?
My answer to this question is constantly evolving. I have been fortunate to have been inspired by my own teachers, within schools and universities. Now, I am inspired by 乐天堂app下载 children I teach each day to fur乐天堂app下载r develop my role in education.
How can good science education support solving global challenges?
Children are very motivated to help protect our world and science education can raise 乐天堂app下载 importance of sustainability.
What is your favourite element?
My favourite element is Oxygen for all 乐天堂app下载 life that it gives.