Science

National Curriculum Purpose of Study

A high-quality science education provides the foundations for understanding the world through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. Science has changed our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity, and all pupils should be taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science. Through building up a body of key foundational knowledge and concepts, pupils should be encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. They should be encouraged to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes.

National Curriculum Aims

The national curriculum for science aims to ensure that all pupils:

• 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
• are equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future.

Science at Eastwick

The science curriculum at Eastwick meets the requirements of the National Curriculum and the school’s Curriculum Ethos. It prepares children to be ‘Ready for Everything’ in their futures in terms of: 

• Success in the next stage of their education and beyond: by developing scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics
• their ability to navigate life’s personal Challenge: by equipping children with an understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through different types of science enquiries that help them to ask and answer scientific questions about the world around them; by developing collaboration in scientific enquiry; by developing resilience through knowing that failure and trying again is integral and necessary to the scientific process
• understanding their place in communities at global, national and local levels and seize the Opportunity of the future: by equipping them with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future of the human race and planet Earth

Curriculum Content

• In Reception, specific teaching opportunities are used to introduce elements of science.
• In Years 1-6, lessons are planned by our teachers, as per the units set out in the National Curriculum, using resources which meet the objectives in an effective, inspiring way for the children.
• Knowledge is built progressively throughout Key Stage 1 and 2. Pupils revisit most key knowledge themes (see below).  Each time a key knowledge theme is revisited, a different aspect is covered or it is covered with greater complexity, therefore increasing children’s breadth and depth of knowledge.  Prior knowledge is recalled and utilised so that pupils build on previous foundations.
• Children use a range of resources in their learning and make good use of the outdoor areas of the school grounds such as the woodlands. Off-site learning takes place to support some units, at, for example, Winchester Science Centre, Wisley RHS Gardens and Nower Wood (Surrey Wildlife Trust).  

 Key Knowledge Themes: 

Electricity

Earth and space

Materials

Plants

Animals & Humans

Habitats

Light

States of matter

Sound

Forces

Climate

  Units taught (Reception - Year 6):