Science Intent

Science continues to change our lives in many different ways.  Learning about scientific knowledge, methods, processes and applications, through a high-quality progressive science education (which is carefully planned to build - year on year - on prior knowledge) provides the foundations for understanding the world in which we live, today and in the future.  Children are naturally curious and the teaching of key scientific concepts, knowledge and skills helps children to ask and answer questions and develop a sense of excitement about the world around them.  We encourage our children to develop an enquiring mind and analytical thinking skills through an engaging and relevant enquiry-based curriculum.  We teach children to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop inquisitiveness and curiosity about natural phenomena.  The National Curriculum objectives help children to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave and analyse causes.  We understand the power of 'hands-on', practical lessons, with an emphasis on investigations  which help to bring the subject to life.  Through our science teaching, we want to spark a lifelong interest in the disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics, which helps more children go on to pursue a career in scientific fields.

The focus of science teaching in Key Stage 1 is to enable pupils to experience and observe phenomena, looking more closely at the natural and human-constructed world around them.  Children are encouraged to be curious and ask questions about what notice.  We help them develop their sense understanding of scientific ideas by using different types of scientific enquiry to answer their own questions.  Children begin to use simple scientific language to talk about what they have found out and communicate their ideas, to a range of audiences, in a variety of ways.

In Key Stage 2, children begin to broaden their scientific view of the world around them; at the end of the primary phase, they will have deepened their understanding of scientific concepts.  They will explore and talk about their ideas, ask their own questions about scientific phenomena and analyse functions, relationships and interactions more systematically.  They are taught to choose the most appropriate way to investigate their scientific questions and plan, carry out, analyse, explain and draw conclusions with increasing confidence.

Characteristics of a Scientist

• The ability to think independently and raise questions about working scientifically and the knowledge and skills that it brings.
• Confidence and competence in the full range of practical skills, talking the initiative in, for example, planning and carrying out scientific investigations.
• Excellent scientific knowledge and understanding which is demonstrated in written and verbal explanation, solving challenging problems and reporting scientific findings.
• High levels of originality, imagination or innovation in the application of skills.
• The ability to undertake practical work in a variety of contexts, including fieldwork.
• A passion for science and its application in past, present and future technologies.

Road to RIAT - Year 5 and 6 STEM Day

The year 5 and 6 children took part in an exciting STEM day (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) on Monday. The session was led by the Royal Air Force and gave children an insight into careers that they could move into based on these subjects. The children took part in an interactive session where they developed their understanding of how gliders and other aircraft take flight. As RAF Engineers, the children were tasked with designing and building three gliders. Working in small teams, the children were then able to test their prototypes and evaluate their performance. 

What our children said about the day: 

'I really loved making and testing the gliders. It was fun to learn about the different wing shapes and the different empennage (tail) shapes and how they can impact on the flight. It was a great day and something different to do. It was interesting to think about the different careers that STEM subjects lead to'. Matthew H (Year 6). 

'I really liked to design the gliders, I really liked testing my designs as well. I chose the Delta wing and the V-Tail for my design. My prototype was very successful too! It was one of my favourite days that I have ever had at school'. Ella (Year 5).