Selby primary school teacher to represent region at prestigious science festival

Vicky Walsh has been chosen out of hundreds of teachers from across Europe

A local Selby primary school teacher has been selected to travel to Finland this summer to share her work at the prestigious Science on Stage Festival 2024.

Vicky Walsh from Monk Fryston C of E Primary School will make the journey to Turku to join hundreds of other primary and secondary school teachers from all over Europe, who will share their most creative STEM ideas at stands, in workshops, and in highlight sessions.

She is one of 450 participants from more than 30 countries who will come together in August after they were specifically chosen because of their contribution to the subject of science within their own schools and trusts.

In addition to attending the event, as the leader of science teaching at Monk Fryston C of E School, Vicky will also host a stand at the 4-day international event showcasing one of the many projects she has delivered since securing a grant from the Ogden Trust that means she can dedicate half a day per week to improving the teaching of physics across the wider STAR Multi Academy Trust.

This includes the now annual Great Science Share event, which last year saw more than 160 children from nine Star Multi Academy Trust primary schools in Yorkshire come together to take part in a live debate to determine which is the greatest invention of all time.

Commenting on the festival Vicky Walsh said: “This is an exciting opportunity, and I am very proud and privileged to have been selected to attend the event and to have the opportunity to showcase the work that is taking place across the Trust to promote and enhance the learning of science.

“The grant has allowed me to really dedicate a significant amount of time to enhancing the science offering across the Trust, particularly focussing on the annual Great School Science Share events, as well as delivering additional physics training and termly meetings for all STARMAT schools.

“The results have been fantastic, and we have seen a real increase in the way that the children engage with their learning of physics. I now hope to share those learnings and look forward to also hearing what the other teachers have to say about their experiences.”

Rick Weights, the executive head teacher at Monk Fryston primary school said, “We are immensely proud of the work Vicky has already been doing to improve the physics and science education we offer our pupils.

“The honour of this invitation only demonstrates what we already knew – that she is becoming a pioneering figure in her field.”

The Ogden Trust is an organisation that supports schools, teachers, projects, and programmes that are committed to enhancing physics teaching and learning.