Science
Vision
As a STEM school, science is a fundamental part of our provision, and it is interwoven through the curriculum on a day-to-day basis. We recognise that, in an increasingly scientific and technological age, children need to acquire knowledge, skills and attitudes to prepare them for modern life.
Young children are naturally curious and we provide a stimulating science curriculum that nurtures children’s curiosity and their on-going intellectual development. Through a hands-on, enquiry-based curriculum, children experience the joy of having wonderful ideas, exploration and investigation.
Our school ethos of caring for the world around us, and understanding our responsibility towards the environment (close and far), underpins our teaching philosophy and permeates into everyday teaching and learning.
Intent
We want pupils to develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through hands-on and real life experiences. The aim is for children to develop an understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through different types of scientific enquiries that help them to answer questions about the world around them.
We want our children to be equipped with the scientific skills required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future. We understand that it is important for lessons to have a skills-based focus, and that the knowledge can be taught through this.
The science curriculum and assessment format are inclusive. This allows SEN children to flourish in our science lessons and an interest in science is nurtured. Revealingly, one child told us: "I like doing experiments because we can answer our own questions".
Implementation
Real-life experiences are a fundamental part of our approach, and members of the community are regularly invited in to share their experience and expertise. This is demonstrated through our popular and interactive STEM fair.
Whole School Science Overview.
Practical applications
Children leave Evendons confident in conducting and investigating their own scientific enquiries. This is evident by the feedback we receive from former pupils, such the young girl who has fundraised herself to travel to Thailand and complete restorative work on coral reefs.
Children are invited to take part in our science clubs where are able to have hands-on experiences investigating different areas of science. They have the opportunity to learn and apply their science in different situations.
Right from the start of their journey with us, pupils are taught the importance of scientific skills and how they can be transferred into different curriculum areas. In the later years, children are given various opportunities to apply their learning; for example, in Year 6 children build their own go-karts and race them at Goodwood, which incorporates their learning of electricity from Years 4 and 6.
Year 4 children also take part in a 3M competition each year which explores their understanding of forces including friction and gravity.
Children are offered to attend a multitude of scientific trips throughout their years with us. For example, Year 5 travel to the Jurassic coast as part of their residential trip, where they search for real fossils (see photo gallery below). Working is a cross curricular manner, a visit to Gilbert White’s allows the children to mix science with history as they explore a naturalist’s historic home.
Are you a scientist willing to present to children?
We encourage and appreciate parent support in our science teaching. We use our contacts to invite people from different scientific fields into school and this gives children the opportunity to see real life scientists and explore scientific professions. For example, we have had a visit from a rocket scientist who built parts that went into space with rockets and satellites. these kind of visits inspire pupils to follow a scientific career path, and we welcome anyone who is in a position to come and present at school. Please do reach our to our office: office@evendons-primary.co.uk
Science
