Science

At Downe we follow the International Primary Curriculum (IPC). Some topics are cross curricular and include science teaching within, whilst others, for example ‘Bright Sparks’, is a science specific unit. Children are fully immersed into their Science topics creating knowledge harvests, taking part in innovative, exciting experiments, developing their enquiry and observation skills. Knowledge is built on as the children progress through each year group, giving children a deep understanding of each topic.

Planning, recording, predicting, testing, interpreting results and proposing further investigations are the essence of science and together with suitable practical “hands on” experience, will be meaningful and enjoyable to the pupils. Science is celebrated through a range of events throughout the year such as the annual Science Week events. These events allow children to become immersed in areas across science, technology, engineering and maths.

Aim

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

As well as these, Downe Primary School aims to:

• develop pupils’ enjoyment, excitement and interest in science through enriching activities
• build on pupil’s curiosity of the natural world
• use a planned range of investigations and practical activities to give pupils a greater understanding of the concepts and knowledge of science
• develop pupils’ basic practical skills and their ability to make accurate and appropriate measurement
• introduce pupils to scientific language and vocabulary
• demonstrate how their learning links to the wider world and environment