Phizzi Forces Training Brings Hands-On Learning to Red Kite Alliance Schools
Posted 31st March 2025
As part of our partnership with The Ogden Trust, Red Kite Alliance hosted the Phizzi Forces training day last week. An exciting and hands-on professional development opportunity for teachers across our alliance schools. This one-day training session was the first in a series of four annual Phizzi CPD courses aimed at enhancing physics teaching in primary schools. The focus this year was on forces, a key area of the primary science curriculum, and it proved to be an engaging and impactful event for all who participated.
The Phizzi Forces training saw an impressive level of engagement, with 34 Red Kite Alliance schools taking part. This included 32 of our 35 primary schools and 2 secondary schools supporting their Key Stage 3 teachers. Such widespread participation highlights the enthusiasm and commitment of teachers across the alliance to strengthen physics education.
The Phizzi Forces course was designed with three core aims in mind:
- Improving Teacher Knowledge and Pedagogical Approaches – ensuring teachers gain a deeper understanding of the forces-related elements within the primary curriculum.
- Developing Scientific Inquiry Skills - encouraging teachers to integrate working scientifically methodologies into their lessons through the context of forces.
- Connecting Forces to the Broader Curriculum - highlighting opportunities to incorporate forces into maths, English, and other subjects to create cross-curricular links.
Teachers engaged in a day filled with rich learning experiences, exploring innovative ways to introduce the concept of forces to children in Years 3 and 5.
The session not only provided teachers with theoretical knowledge but also offered hands-on activities to experiment with practical demonstrations and student-led investigations that they could later replicate in their classrooms. Teachers had the opportunity to explore:
- Demonstrations designed to illustrate key concepts such as friction, gravity, air resistance and magnetism.
- Investigative experiments that students could conduct themselves, promoting inquiry-based learning.
- Collaborative discussions and networking with other teachers and science leads to exchange ideas and teaching strategies.
One of the standout benefits of the training was the provision of a free Phizzi Forces kit for each participating school, valued at approximately £400. This comprehensive set of resources ensures that teachers are well-equipped to bring high-quality, practical science lessons to their students.
The buzz of excitement was palpable as teachers worked together, testing out different experiments and considering the best ways to facilitate student learning. Many commented on how the interactive nature of the session helped boost their confidence in delivering physics lessons. Helen Haigh, summed up the day perfectly: “It was an absolutely fantastic day full of new ideas and resources.”
The Phizzi Forces training marks the beginning of an exciting four-year journey for Red Kite Alliance schools. Over the coming years, our partnership with The Ogden Trust will continue to bring invaluable training and resources to our teachers. The upcoming courses in the Phizzi series will cover:
- 2025: Light and Sound
- 2026: Earth and Space
- 2027: Electricity
Each of these training sessions will follow a similar format, offering hands-on experiences, free teaching resources and opportunities for professional collaboration. Keep an eye on communications for registration details.