Science

The study of science is focused on developing an understanding of natural phenomena and the man-made world including the ways in which science impacts on people’s lives and the environment. Our curriculum covers all areas of science learning, including living things, plants, humans and animals, materials; properties, changes and matter, Earth and space, forces, energy, electricity and electromagnetism and waves. Pupils are taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science.

Learning in science is practical and hands-on and allows learners to collect first-hand evidence from observation and/or experimentation within the different areas/branches of scientific study.

In Science, learners will have the opportunity to

experience situations in which problems are posed, having the opportunity to develop their own solutions;
develop a working understanding of safety and care;
formulate testable hypotheses;
develop skills of using equipment and measurement, making decisions about when, what and how to measure;
organise and record data and draw conclusions from results;
develop written and oral reporting skills, alongside a scientific vocabulary to use in communicating findings and ideas.

As a result of our science curriculum, learners will become equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future. They will understand the limitations of their own experiments and develop an understanding of science being dynamic and that ideas and theories are constantly evolving even if they cannot yet be tested. International learning in science includes learning about science in different times and places and how current scientific thinking and exploration are influenced by culture, religion and attitudes to guardianship of the future.

Our aspiration is that children are inspired to be curious about natural phenomena and develop key knowledge and concepts in order to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes, both in and out of school.

To be successful, learners must:

develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics
develop understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through different types of science enquiries that help them to answer scientific questions about the world around them
use of a range of materials and develop scientific skills and key techniques as part of the practical process of investigation
evaluate materials, processes and scientific data
develop the appropriate vocabulary and subject-specific terminology to describe
understand the effects of science on people’s lives and its impact on the wider world
connect learning within different aspects of science and between science and other subjects (e.g. design technology, ICT)
Engage with ethical issues associated with scientific activities and experimentation by themselves and others.

Implementation

EYFS Understanding The World

Understanding the world involves guiding children to make sense of their physical world and their community. The frequency and range of children’s personal experiences increases their knowledge and sense of the world around them – from visiting parks, libraries and museums to meeting important members of society such as police officers, nurses and firefighters. In addition, listening to a broad selection of stories, non-fiction, rhymes and poems will foster their understanding of our culturally, socially, technologically and ecologically diverse world. As well as building important knowledge, this extends their familiarity with words that support understanding across domains. Enriching and widening children’s vocabulary will support later reading comprehension.

Toddlers and young children will be learning to:

Repeat actions that have an effect.
Explore materials with different properties.
Explore natural materials, indoors and outside.
Explore and respond to different natural phenomena in their setting and on trips

3 and 4-year-olds will be learning to:

Use all their senses in hands-on exploration of natural materials.
Explore collections of materials with similar and/or different properties.
Talk about what they see, using a wide vocabulary.
Plant seeds and care for growing plants.
Understand the key features of the life cycle of a plant and an animal.
Begin to understand the need to respect and care for the natural environment and all living things.
Explore and talk about different forces they can feel.
Talk about the differences between materials and changes they notice

Children in reception will be learning to:

Explore the natural world around them
Describe what they see, hear and feel whilst outside.
Understand the effect of changing seasons on the natural world around them.

Year 1

Autumn Term	Spring Term	Summer Term
Science Units
Look and Listen Have you ever wondered how you can hear and how you can see? You can hear me talking and you can see me smiling at you. You can hear a plane flying overhead and you can see it crossing the sky. What makes hearing and seeing these possible? We will need to be scientists to find out how sound and light travels.	What’s It Made of? We will be learning about a variety of materials ranging from wood, plastic and fabric to glass, gold and steel. As scientists, we will be carrying out a series of investigations to learn more about the properties of these materials and how they can help us. Why do we use different materials to make different objects or to do particular jobs?	Live and Let Live We will be learning about living things and what they need in order to survive. How do we know what living things need? How do you know that you are alive, but a stone has never been alive?
Topic Based Science
In Science, we’ll be learning about: What living things need to survive. Animal classification. Habitats and living things we can find in our local area. Different habitats around the world. How living things are suited to the habitat in which they live. How plants and animals depend on each other. What a micro-habitat is and the living things we can find in them. The nutrient cycle.	In Science, we’ll be learning about: Air resistance	In Science, we'll be learning about: Plants that grow in our local area The different parts of a plant What plants need in order to grow How to care for a plant Where flowers prefer to live and grow How and where seeds grow How to set up tests to discover how plants use water How to grow lots of different things How beans grow How plants and insects rely on each other

Autumn Term

Spring Term

Summer Term

Science Units

Look and Listen

Have you ever wondered how you can hear and how you can see? You can hear me talking and you can see me smiling at you. You can hear a plane flying overhead and you can see it crossing the sky. What makes hearing and seeing these possible? We will need to be scientists to find out how sound and light travels.

What’s It Made of?

We will be learning about a variety of materials ranging from wood, plastic and fabric to glass, gold and steel. As scientists, we will be carrying out a series of investigations to learn more about the properties of these materials and how they can help us. Why do we use different materials to make different objects or to do particular jobs?

Live and Let Live

We will be learning about living things and what they need in order to survive. How do we know what living things need? How do you know that you are alive, but a stone has never been alive?

Topic Based Science

In Science, we’ll be learning about:

What living things need to survive.
Animal classification.
Habitats and living things we can find in our local area.
Different habitats around the world.
How living things are suited to the habitat in which they live.
How plants and animals depend on each other.
What a micro-habitat is and the living things we can find in them.
The nutrient cycle.

In Science, we’ll be learning about:

Air resistance

In Science, we'll be learning about:

Plants that grow in our local area
The different parts of a plant
What plants need in order to grow
How to care for a plant
Where flowers prefer to live and grow
How and where seeds grow
How to set up tests to discover how plants use water
How to grow lots of different things
How beans grow
How plants and insects rely on each other

Year 2

Autumn Term	Spring Term	Summer Term
Science Units
Superhumans We will be learning about how our bones, muscles, senses and nerves all connect to make us human. As scientists, we will be investigating the ways in which these body parts interact with our brain, enabling us to see, hear, smell, taste and touch.	We are what we eat We will be learning about the vital role of food in sustaining human life, as well as its importance in history and culture throughout the world. As scientists and nutritionists, we will be studying the different types and amounts of food our bodies need so that we can plan healthier diets and enjoy healthier lives.	It’s Shocking We will be learning all about electricity and the things that we use it for on a daily basis, ranging from lights and computers to mobile phones and cars. As scientists, we will be investigating the unique features of static and current electricity and the reasons why they are so important in the modern world. How would our lives be different without electricity?
Topic Based Science
	In Science, we’ll be learning about: How to test the strength of structures How we can support structures and make them more stable

Year 3

Autumn Term	Spring Term	Summer Term
Science Units
How Humans Work We will be learning about the different functions of the human body, including how we see, hear, digest, breathe and move. We will also investigate how to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and the effects of diet and exercise on the body	Material World We will be learning about the hundreds of different materials that are used to make everyday objects. We will need to be scientists to test the properties of different materials. Some materials absorb water; some are magnetic, and some allow electricity to pass through them. But with so many different materials to choose from, how do we decide which to use?	Shake It We will be learning about solids, liquids and gases and how things can change state. We will need to be scientists to investigate the chemistry of some cooking and preparation processes. We will use our knowledge to make butter, cheese, and milkshakes. What has cooking got to do with science? Do you have any idea of how to make butter?
Topic Based Science
		In Science, we’ll be learning about: Nutrients needed for a balanced healthy diet Decomposers in nature How food changes over time.

Year 4

Autumn Term	Spring Term	Summer Term
Science Units
Land, Sea and Sky We will be learning about plants and animals, and how they can adapt to living almost anywhere on Earth. Our planet has a number of different habitats, each with their unique climate and geology. As geographers, in this unit, we will find out about how water, soil and rock can change the environment or be changed by natural forces such as water. We will need to be scientists to examine how different organisms have adapted to survive on land, in the sea and in the sky. In International we will be looking at what we can do to help in preserving living things. In this unit we will ask exciting questions such as: How do plants and animals adapt to water habitats? How do animals and plants depend on each other for survival and how can human actions support or upset this delicate balance?	Feel the Force We will be learning about forces and how they push and pull us along. We will need to be scientists to investigate different kinds of forces and learn how to measure them. Without forces nothing on Earth or in the wider Universe would start moving or once started they wouldn’t stop! How do we know forces are always in action? What can we see and feel that shows us forces are at work?	Time and Place, Earth and Space We will be learning about how the Sun that we see on a clear day in the sky is central not only to life on our planet, but also in determining how we count time. We will also be looking at how the moon and the stars, which have fascinated man since the beginning of time, contribute to our understanding of time and place. What is the connection between the Sun, moon and stars and how we keep time here on Earth?
Topic Based Science
In Science, we’ll be learning about: How to investigate liquid flow rates. How the three different rock types are formed.	In Science, we’ll be learning about: The forces of pushes and pulls Different types of simple machines Man-made materials and their properties.	In Science, we’ll be learning about: How plants get what they need to thrive in a rainforest Rocks and soils Different plants and animals in the rainforest Photosynthesis and what plants do with water Different types of leaves Seed dispersal Animal classification Food chains in the rainforest Animal adaptations in the rainforest.

Autumn Term

Spring Term

Summer Term

Science Units

Land, Sea and Sky

We will be learning about plants and animals, and how they can adapt to living almost anywhere on Earth. Our planet has a number of different habitats, each with their unique climate and geology. As geographers, in this unit, we will find out about how water, soil and rock can change the environment or be changed by natural forces such as water. We will need to be scientists to examine how different organisms have adapted to survive on land, in the sea and in the sky. In International we will be looking at what we can do to help in preserving living things. In this unit we will ask exciting questions such as: How do plants and animals adapt to water habitats? How do animals and plants depend on each other for survival and how can human actions support or upset this delicate balance?

Feel the Force

We will be learning about forces and how they push and pull us along. We will need to be scientists to investigate different kinds of forces and learn how to measure them. Without forces nothing on Earth or in the wider Universe would start moving or once started they wouldn’t stop! How do we know forces are always in action? What can we see and feel that shows us forces are at work?

Time and Place, Earth and Space

We will be learning about how the Sun that we see on a clear day in the sky is central not only to life on our planet, but also in determining how we count time. We will also be looking at how the moon and the stars, which have fascinated man since the beginning of time, contribute to our understanding of time and place. What is the connection between the Sun, moon and stars and how we keep time here on Earth?

Topic Based Science

In Science, we’ll be learning about:

How to investigate liquid flow rates.
How the three different rock types are formed.

In Science, we’ll be learning about:

The forces of pushes and pulls
Different types of simple machines
Man-made materials and their properties.

In Science, we’ll be learning about:

How plants get what they need to thrive in a rainforest
Rocks and soils
Different plants and animals in the rainforest
Photosynthesis and what plants do with water
Different types of leaves
Seed dispersal
Animal classification
Food chains in the rainforest
Animal adaptations in the rainforest.

Year 5

Autumn Term	Spring Term	Summer Term
Science Units
Space Explorers We know that when we look up at our sky we will see the Sun, the Moon and the stars. We take them for granted. But why are they there? What do they do? How do they affect the Earth? Astronomy, like all sciences, is about asking questions. By becoming space explorers, we can ?nd out more about our solar system and the deeper mysteries of the universe.	Full Power Electricity is one of the most important discoveries ever made and we have learned how to use it to power almost every aspect of our lives. But who discovered electricity and how does it work?	Roots, Shoots and Fruits Plants have lived on Earth for over 400 million years. Some plants in our gardens today were around at the same time as the dinosaurs. Why have plants been so successful?
Topic Based Science
In Science, we’ll be finding out: About the planets in our solar system About mass and weight, and the effects of gravity How to grow seeds and plants, and choose those that will be suitable for Mars How to identify a living organism About different energy sources About different forces and their effects How to choose the best energy source/s for our Mars shelter		In Science, we’ll be finding out: Where water comes from How to grow a stalactite How to clean water How water can be used to make power How rivers provide habitats for wildlife

Year 6

Autumn Term	Spring Term	Summer Term
Science Units
Being Human Your body is designed to help you to breathe, move, eat, respond, reproduce and live. How do the different parts of your body function and how are humans different from other animals?	Existing, Endangered, Extinct From tiny tadpoles to giant squid, living things exist in an amazing variety of forms. Why is there so much variety and how do scientists sort, identify and classify the millions of species living today?	Look, Hear! Whether we are driving around in our cars, working, or relaxing at home, we are turning on lights, music, TV, radio, computers and mobile phones. We are plugged in to sound and light 24 hours a day. But what is the science behind sound and light?
Topic Based Science
In Science, we’ll be finding out: How to sort different materials How to test materials for hardness How to test materials for water resistance	In Science, we’ll be finding out: How to classify different types of rock and soil About the effects of weathering on different types of rock About the movements of the Earth, Sun and Moon and how they affect us About different types of cloud and how they are formed How we can set up a weather station and record data

Science Policy

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