Science Learning Partnership - East & North Herts, Essex, Beds & Milton Keynes


The East & North Herts, Essex, Beds & MK Science Learning Partnership (SLP) provides quality, subject-specific Continuous Professional Development (CPD) for primary and secondary schools across West Essex. They are part of a network of SLPs and other support for schools that are managed by STEM Learning.

The East & North Herts, Essex, Beds & MK SLP supports school leads, teachers and technicians to develop high-quality science and STEM provision for all young people in schools and colleges locally. They offer courses through the academic year, and can also help with bespoke training solutions and one to one support.

Areas covered:

Find out more about the East & North Herts, Essex, Beds & MK Science Learning Partnership:


East & North Herts, Essex, Beds & MK SLP programmes & events

In addition to our CPD programme, we offer bespoke Science CPD for departmental meetings, joint inset and inset days. Our expert school to school support consultancy offer includes departmental reviews, coaching, mentoring, curriculum reviews and exam analysis.

Science CPD Programmes - Primary and Secondary

Click on the links below for our Primary and Secondary Science CPD programmes:

See below for details of our current packages, upcoming CPD courses and events.


Primary Science CPD Staff Meetings - Science CPD for the whole staff

As well as our primary CPD courses, we offer primary staff meetings. There are three options that schools can choose from: 

  • Working Scientifically
  • Thinking, Doing, Talking Science
  • Essential Formative Assessment in Science

Expand the headings below to find out more about each option.

Primary Science CPD staff meetings - options

Our popular whole staff CPD can be arranged as twilight meetings or during a scheduled inset day. We are also happy for you to organise these as joint inset with multiple schools.

We also offer curriculum support and consultancy.

To enquire and to book one of our staff meetings please contact slp.admin@hertsandessex.herts.sch.uk


Leading Primary Science webinar series: January - June 2024

Whether you are new to the role of science subject leader or have been the leader for a couple of years, you will be supported to bring about change at a whole school level. You will receive guidance, advice and support to help you understand the role of the subject leader.

Mapped to the NPQLT framework, this online course will provide a solid foundation for those wishing to continue their leadership journey further.

Session topics and dates:

17 January 4-5pm - What is science like in my school

6 February 4-5pm - Essential skills for leading primary science

5 March 4-5pm - Leading teaching and learning

17 April 4-5pm - Raising the profile of primary science

19 June 4-5pm - Evaluation and reflection

For more information and to book click here or download the course flyer here.


New and Aspiring Leaders of Science package

Included in the package:

- Termly online science subject leader network

- Essential skills for leading your team (F2F 2-day course with a gap task)

- Managing a science budget (1 hour online)

Cost: £475 per school (£200 subsidy for eligible schools* in North/East Herts, Essex, Beds and MK)

To buy the package for your school or *to find out if your school is eligible for a subsidy email us at slp.admin@hertsandessex.herts.sch.uk

For more information click here or download the package flyer here.


Science Subject Knowledge Enhancement School package

This package is perfect for departments who have ECTs, non-science specialists teaching Science or Science teachers who are teaching out of their specialism. All teachers from schools who are signed up to this package can attend any of the following Subject Knowledge Enhancement and Practical skills and pedagogy courses - providing the ultimate upskilling of teachers to increase student attainment and teacher retention.

- Course dates: package of courses running throughout 2023-24 

- Phase: Secondary

- Venue: Online and face-to-face

Subsidies are available for eligible schools - contact slp.admin@hertsandessex.herts.sch.uk to find out if your school is eligible 

For more information and to book click here or download the package flyer here.


Science Technician annual school subscription 2023-24

Our extremely popular Science Technician annual subscription for schools is excellent value for money for Science departments to provide quality CPD and networking opportunities for their technicians throughout the year. Our Technicians
tell us that they feel valued and supported by being a part of our subscription.

What’s included?

All technicians from subscribed schools will have full access to any of the following:

  • Courses, events and networks
  • Termly online network meetings
  • Online Tech Fest – a week-long festival of talks, workshops,
  • Demonstrations and updates for Science Technicians
  • Hands on Tech Fest – a day of hands-on workshops
  • Introduction to the role of Science Technicians
  • Senior Technician Training
  • GCSE Biology Required Practicals 3 afternoon sessions (F2F)
  • GCSE Chemistry Required Practicals 3 afternoon sessions F2F)
  • GCSE Physics Required Practicals 3 afternoon sessions (F2F)
  • Face to face technicians networks (Stevenage, Beds)

For full details of our Science Technician Annual Subscription package for 2023-24, click here or download the flyer here.


23 May 2024 - Secondary Science Teacher Conference

Date & Time: 23 May 2024, 09:00-15:30

Venue: University of Bedfordshire, MK41 9EA

Join us for a full programme of CPD designed to meet the needs of all Secondary Science Teachers. The East & North Herts, Essex, Beds and MK annual conference is an opportunity for Heads of Science, Biology/Chemistry/Physics Subject Leads, Key Stage 3/4 co-ordinators and teachers of Science to explore the key issues affecting science education, through a series of presentations and workshops. Network, share and develop ideas and discuss best practice.

For more information and to book visit:

https://www.stem.org.uk/cpd/532367/secondary-science-teacher-conference

Download the conference flyer here.


June and July 2024 - New to Teaching A'level Science courses

These courses are part of the Science Subject Knowledge Enhancement Package. If your school is subscribed to this package please use your subscription code when booking. If you are interested in subscribing, please contact slp.admin@hertsandessex.herts.sch.uk.

Download the New to Teaching A'level Science flyer here.

New to Teaching A'level Chemistry - 2 days

- 12 June & 19 June 2024, 10:15-16:00 on both days

- Venue: Herts & Essex High School

- For more and booking link - click here

New to Teaching A'level Biology - 2 days

- 4 June & 13 June 2024, 10:15-16:00 on both days

- Venue: Herts & Essex High School

- For more and booking link - click here

New to Teaching A'level Physics - 2 days

- 1 July & 12 July 2024, 10:15-16:00 on both days

- Venue: Leventhorpe School

- For more and booking link - click here

 


6 June 2024 - Tech Fest Bedfordshire (for Science Technicians)

Venue: Glebe Farm School, Burney Drive, Milton Keynes MK17 8XY

Timings: 09:30-14:30

An opportunity for Technicians to have some hands on practical training and to network with other Technicians. There will also be an opportunity to visit our market place of exhibitors.

This conference is included in the N&E Herts, Essex**, Beds & MK Science Technician Annual School Subscription package.  If your school already has a subscription, please use your 100% discount code when booking this event.  Non-subscribed schools are welcome to book on.

For more information and to book visit https://www.stem.org.uk/cpd/534958/tech-fest-beds

Download the event flyer here.


11 June 2024 - KS3 Student Climate Change Summit

Venue: University of Hertfordshire

We are excited to offer schools the opportunity to attend our KS3 Climate change student summit in partnership with the University of Hertfordshire and STEMPOINT East. This summit will bring together local and national partners from across the education, research and the wider STEM sectors to enhance teacher and student understanding of the science and implications of climate change.  The aim of the summit is to highlight to young people and their teachers the challenges we face but also focus on what possible solutions there are and new future technologies that can help.

Note: Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. We'd like as many schools to benefit from this exciting opportunity as possible and so schools are limited to 1 teacher and a maximum of 10 students.

Download the conference flyer here.

For more details and to book click here: booking link


20 June 2024 - Tech Fest Essex (for Science Technicians)

Venue: Anglia Ruskin University, Rivermead Campus, Bishop Hall Lane, Chelmsford CM1 1SQ

Timings: 09:00-15:00

An opportunity for Technicians to have some hands on practical training and to network with other Technicians. There will also be an opportunity to visit our market place of exhibitors.

This conference is included in the N&E Herts, Essex**, Beds & MK Science Technician Annual School Subscription package.  If your school already has a subscription, please use your 100% discount code when booking this event.  Non-subscribed schools are welcome to book on.

For more information and to book visit https://www.stem.org.uk/cpd/532436/tech-fest-essex

Download the event flyer here.


2 July 2024 - Secondary Science Teacher Conference:

Date & Time: 2 July 2024, 09:00-15:00

Venue: Harlow College, CM20 3LH

Summary: 

The East & North Herts, Essex, Beds and Milton Keynes SLP annual conference is an opportunity for Heads of Science, Biology/Chemistry/Physics Subject Leads, Key Stage 3/4 co-ordinators and teachers of Science to explore the key issues affecting science education, through a series of presentations and workshops. Network, share and develop ideas and discuss best practice.

The conference is part of the East & North Herts, Essex, Beds and Milton Keynes SLP Head of Science subscription package 2023/24. If you are subscribed you should use your discount code when booking.

For more information and to book visit:

https://www.stem.org.uk/cpd/530083/secondary-science-teacher-conference-inclusion-science

Download the conference flyer here.