Serena Parker-Sharp

Winner: 2022 Early Career Prize for Excellence in Primary Education

Spring Grove Junior, Infant and Nursery School

For championing inclusion and diversity within the primary science curriculum to allow children of all backgrounds to see themselves as scientists.

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Serena teaches in a maintained school, which has the responsibility of delivering the content of the National Curriculum set out by the Department for Education.

Within this framework, schools have the freedom to personalise the curriculum for their community. Serena felt it was vital to ensure that the school community saw itself within that curriculum, meaning that children would study science through those that had contributed to it from across the world.

Serena worked to create a subject overview for all children in her school, from Nursery children through to Year 6, supporting her colleagues through training. She introduced role models from a diversity of backgrounds into children's learning, showing the amazing contributions made by these scientists to our lives. Through the difficult times of the Covid-19 pandemic, Serena maintained her enthusiasm for science and created exciting activities that children could carry out at home with their families.

Having started her career in schools as a member of support staff, Serena Parker-Sharp was always determined to become a teacher. She embarked on a degree whilst working full time, which proved to be a challenge; perseverance and resilience meant that she completed her degree and was accepted onto a teaching training course.

Upon completion she was appointed in an Outstanding, incredibly supportive school and quickly took on leadership and responsibility of science.

The children have made me see that with good opportunities it is possible for any child to succeed in science.

Q&A

What motivates you?

The children. It is always the children and their families – seeing them succeed and watching their excitement when they realise they can use what they know and apply it to the real world. Witnessing children grow in confidence and realise their potential is heartwarming.

How have your students inspired you?

The children have made me see that with good opportunities it is possible for any child to succeed in science.

Why do you think teamwork is important in science education?

Children need to be able to communicate. This means that they need to know they have a voice which deserves to be heard, they also need to know how to listen to one another and respectfully agree and disagree. Empowering children to use their voice is vital to their success.