Do you cover science only?

Broadly, most of our courses have scientific content, but more senior courses often cover ethical and moral issues, for example in The Trouble with Science is Ethics and Famine – Who Lives? Art is a large part of A Day with Leo and When Art Meets Science.

How can I book?

Teachers can book courses for whole classes directly from us. Please ring 01603 755404. Parents and teachers can book individuals onto courses on-line via this web site or via the Government web site www.dcfs/yg&t.

What if I’ve booked my child onto a course but then find we can not attend?

If you tell us up to seven days before the course delivery date we will give you a full refund as there is a chance that another students to take the place can be found. Within seven days of the delivery date it is unlikely that we will find anybody else so, regrettably, no refund will be possible.

Do you stick strictly to the age ranges advertised?

The courses have been designed for more able youngsters in the age ranges given for each course. However, since more able students are, by definition, performing beyond expectations, it is sometimes possible to accommodate other ages. We find that the most important thing is that the young people concerned are mature enough to work with older children in teams.

I want to book a course for a whole year group but your events cater for 30 students.

Some courses were originally designed for larger numbers of students, up to more than 200 in fact. Please reefers to the course information pages to see which courses are appropriate.

How well qualified are your presenters?

Because our courses are designed for more able students, groups are always taught by a presenter used to dealing with older youngsters. For example our most advanced courses, for older students are presented by seniors academics eg Directors of Schools or Senior Lecturers. Courses with specialist topics are always presented by appropriate people eg Watching the Weather is always presented by a meteorologist. Primary courses are always presented by qualified senior school teachers.

Are the courses safe? What about health and safety?

All courses have a risk assessment which is available to view on this site and is included in the pre-course information packs for teachers. Information on health issues eg allergies, collected from parental permission forms, is passed on, in confidence, to presenters and destroyed after the course. All presenters are familiar with working in science laboratories if appropriate for the course and the safety issues that arise. Appropriate warnings are given to students at he beginning and a relevant places during course delivery.

All building used for courses are approved for teaching purposes eg university buildings and conform to local authority fire regulations.

Two members of S&HE staff (always one female) are present throughout the day on Saturdays. All presenters are CRB checked to the enhanced level.

S&HE carries £5,000,00 of public liability insurance, £2,000,000 of professional indemnity insurance, as required by the national G&T programme.

What about course quality?

All courses are vetted to ensure that they conform to the national programme quality standards and we are an approved and accredited provider for the national programme.

I’ve got an idea for a course

Then please let us know. We are continually trying to expand the number and variety of topics, so if you have good idea, let try to make a course from it!

Can I stay with my child during the course?

Unless your child has a special need for learning support we do not encourage parents to stay, we find that it inhibits the children’s interaction with others. Children are often “on their own” to begin with but very soon become integrated as the activities gain momentum.

How can we give you feed back?

An evaluation is completed by students at the end of each course. The results are sent presenters, and, for courses booked directly by teachers to the client schools. Summaries of feed back will be posted on the web site in future. Parents with specific comments or general feedback are welcome to ring us on 01603 755404 or email info@scienceandhealth.co.uk.

Can I inspect course content in advance?

All course material is copyrighted by Science & Health Communications the parent registered company and is not available for inspection in advance. However, teachers booking a course receive an information pack of pres-course material containing a course summary (for preparatory work), an introduction with learning objectives etc. together with risk assessment and insurance details etc.

Are staff CRB checked?

All lead primary presenters are qualified teachers and as such are CRB checked to the enhanced level and are familiar with child safety and protection issues (see web site section on policies). Academics taking more senior courses are CRB checked.