Aims

In science, our aim is to nurture every child’s natural curiosity and fascination with the world around them. We want our children to develop confidence in their ability to ask questions, explore ideas and enjoy discovering how and why things happen.

Through pupil and staff voice, we have created Stivichall’s Science Principles - key values that guide our approach to teaching and learning in science. We want all children to recognise that science is everywhere and to be inspired by the wonders of the world both inside and outside the classroom.

 

Curriculum

At Stivichall, our carefully sequenced progressive science curriculum is designed to be exciting, broad, balanced and engaging. It follows the National Curriculum but is also tailored to meet the needs of our children.

Children in Key Stages 1 and 2 have regular discrete science lessons while children in Reception develop early scientific skills through play and small group activities, both indoors and outdoors. Our aim is to develop children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for exploring and understanding the world around them. Wherever possible, we take learning beyond the classroom - using our fantastic outdoor spaces, including our field, dell, pond and forest school area, to provide hands-on opportunities to investigate and observe nature.

Working scientifically is a key part of our science teaching. Children are encouraged to think and work like scientists - observing over time, looking for patterns, identifying and classifying, carrying out fair tests and researching using books and technology. Through these experiences, they learn how science can be used to explain, predict and understand everyday phenomena.

Science also provides a wonderful opportunity for children to apply their literacy and maths skills. They are encouraged to use scientific language when talking about their work, record data carefully and present their findings clearly. Biology, chemistry and physics are taught through meaningful and practical contexts. We also celebrate science across the school showing how science connects to our everyday lives and encourages children to see themselves as scientists.

Outcomes

Through our science curriculum, children at Stivichall develop a secure understanding of important scientific ideas, as well as the skills to question, investigate and think critically about the world around them. They become confident communicators who can use scientific language to explain what they have discovered and reflective learners who are eager to find out more.

We want every child to leave us with a sense of wonder about the world, the confidence to explore new ideas and the skills they need to understand and enjoy science throughout their lives.

Extending learning beyond school

We encourage families to support science learning at home by talking to children about what they have been studying in class. Our year group curriculum overviews, available on our school website, outline the key themes and topics being covered. You can also explore science at home through simple, hands-on activities and everyday observations. Cooking, gardening, recycling and weather watching all provide opportunities to ask questions, make predictions and notice how things change. Encouraging children to observe, talk and wonder about the world around them helps them see science as part of daily life. You could:

• Keep a weather diary and talk about seasonal changes.
• Explore plants and habitats in the garden or local park.
• Investigate floating and sinking during bath time.
• Try simple kitchen science like mixing and dissolving or melting and freezing.
• Look at the night sky and talk about stars, the Moon and planets.
• Create a mini habitat for a local creature.
• Design and test a paper bridge or parachute.
• Research a famous scientist or inventor.
• Record a short science explainer video for classmates.
• Visits to places like The Science Museum, local farms or wildlife centres.