Intent

At Heamoor School, we strive to provide a high quality and engaging science curriculum which encourages and enables our children to explore and discover the world around them, sparking their curiosity so that they develop a deeper understanding of our world and beyond.

In order to develop this 'Science Capital', we aim to provide children with strong foundational knowledge and concepts which they will build upon as they move up through school. Children begin their scientific journey in Red Class where they begin to identify similarities and differences between objects, materials and living things as well as beginning to make observations of animals and plants and explain why some things occur. As children move up into Key Stage 1, they will acquire key knowledge in various topics which include animals, plants and everyday materials. Re-visiting these topics in Key Stage 2, children will build on previous knowledge, learning key facts about the parts of a plant, their function and importance to our world as well as being able to identify the key elements that plants need to be able to thrive. Children will begin to identify the nutritional needs of us as humans and will begin to explore the way the body works, focusing on key functions and processes such as the skeleton, the digestive system, teeth and circulatory system. By year 6, children will also be able to debate lifestyle choices and how the things we do impact upon our own bodies. Throughout Key Stage 2, children will also explore other exciting topics including light, sound, electricity and states of matter.

Alongside these building blocks of knowledge, children will learn and encounter key scientific vocabulary as well as becoming familiar with the five key elements of scientific enquiry; pattern seeking, observations over time, research, identifying and classifying and fair testing. Consistent modelling and exposure to these five key elements will culminate in year 6, with children being able to pose their own scientific questions, identify the enquiry which will best solve their question before planning their investigation and recording their observations.

In short, we aim to nurture a future generation of independent scientific thinkers and instil a passion for learning about the world around us that will continue to grow and enable children to think scientifically about some of the challenges we may face in the future.

'Kapow'

Kapow is used through the school to teach science.

Why we chose Kapow - ''Kapow Primary’s Science scheme of work aims to inspire pupils to become curious, inquisitive and analytical thinkers with a broad understanding of the natural world – in other words, to think like scientists. The intention is for pupils to develop the confidence to ask questions, make observations, carry out investigations, record data in a variety of ways and analyse and present their findings.''

At Heamoor School, we have celebrated British Science Week in a variety of different ways.  Over the last two years, we have put our super scientists in charge who used all their skills and knowledge to dazzle, and astound, the adults in our community. Throughout the week, we developed our science capital as we got 'hands on' with a variety of exciting and interesting experiments. We learnt all about the science that underpins the activities. We then used this knowledge to host the adults and for our Science Fair. It was such a privilege to see all our learners from EYFS to Year 6 enthusiastically, and expertly, allowing their adults to discover the wonders of science.  We have also been very busy setting up our own school allotment beds.  Last year, we focused on ‘growing and sowing’ which involved all our children developing their understanding of plants and how to grow their own vegetables.  This was a really exciting week and the children particularly enjoyed tasting the fruit and vegetables that they were going to grow!

Pupil Voice

''I really enjoyed putting red liqiuid into a vase and seeing if it changes the colour of the flower.'' 

- Frankie, Orange Class.

''I have enjoyed learning about our teeth, making circuits and making food chains.''

- Poppy, Blue Class.

''I loved tasting the different foods during Science Week and exploring gravity!'' 

- Louie, Indigo Class.