Working with Partner Primary Schools

We are now in our sixth year working with our partner primary schools in North Halifax. Dr Merewyn Ashley (Science) and Mr James Wilson (Mathematics) from NHGS have been working in these schools for two hours each week, developing teaching and learning, schemes of work, providing INSET and help for the primary school teachers and delivering lessons. In the summer term gifted and talented pupils from these schools come into NHGS for one afternoon each week. They work with the Science and Mathematics departments on extended project work and also produce presentations on their work. Details of some of the projects can be found below.

Cheryl Hunt also works with local primary schools on their Healthy Eating agenda and the primary pupils come in to NHGS for enrichment activities like the Stardome and the Space Circus. We have also run Science Days for other Primary Schools in Halifax.

Supporting Secondary Science Students

Mr Robinson has carried out outreach work in the local Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) since 2004. Work started with Entry Level Certificate work but has developed to working with Science Staff to improve the Schemes of Learning and lending equipment. In 2009 this enabled their students to complete the GCSE Science exams for the first time.

Science and Maths teachers have also supported a group of school non-attenders in Calderdale with excellent results.

Primary Project work

These primary school projects were developed and are administered by our Biology Technician, Sharon Tyler. They provide exciting learning experiences for the pupils and have all had excellent feedback from the local schools who have used them. They can be booked out by primary schools, please contact Sharon for more information on (01422)244625.

Sensory Picnic

The pupils are provided with a selection of freshly grown herbs and a selection of foods containing them. Whilst blindfolded they match up the smell, taste and feel of the food with the name of it and then with the taste of the food containing the herbs. This is an excellent introduction to healthy eating, showing the natural produce that foods are made from and is an enjoyable practical activity.

Availability: Autumn term when the herbs have grown.

Egg Incubation

Incubate hen eggs in your school. They take about 28 days to incubate and can by examined over this period by looking through them at a bright light. Once hatched they can be looked after in school for 6-8 weeks before being taken for re-homing to live a healthy and fruitful life.

Fungal Foray.

As the first school to join the Mid –Yorkshire fungus Group we can help you to grow your own fungus at school and use it to make spore pictures or to eat. We then go up to Ogden Water on a Fungal Foray with an expert from the Fungus Group to identify the fungi and learn more about them.

For membership and forays which are open to members see www.myfg.org.uk

Garden Clubs

We have also helped the local primary schools to set up Garden Clubs, cultivating and growing their own food with projects like “Seed to Soup”. They have operated for an hour after school once a week and have been very successful. The space that Abbey Park Primary School have taken over at Whitehill Allotments has been particularly impressive.