Science at Hardwick

Science is about providing children with the foundation for understanding the world through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. 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.

It gives children a way to develop understanding of what science is and how to think and learn scientifically through different enquiries that help them to answer scientific questions about the world around them.

Without it they would not be equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future.

It feeds into our school’s curriculum intent by providing children with first hand experiences within a vocabulary rich curriculum that provides many opportunities for them to talk and discuss both practical experiments and scientific theories. It is taught in a way that gives children the chance to be critical and question what they see around them through a clear progression of learning that is inclusive for all children within the school.

Science is taught across the whole school from the very youngest children in our nursery to those in Year 6. Our curriculum ensures that children progressively learn new knowledge and skills so that they have a good understanding of core scientific concepts and how to conduct accurate scientific investigations.

Our curriculum ensures that our children:

  • 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.

In addition, children are given regular opportunities to take part in fieldwork so that they gain first hand experiences to apply their knowledge and skills in order to develop a good scientific understanding. Some of the places that children visit are local allotments and parks, National Space Centre, Derby Museum, Rolls Royce and National Theme Parks.

Please see below for our curriculum progression grid for Science, detailing how our children progress through knowledge and skills from Nursery to Year 6:

Year 1 carried out an investigation to see if they could move the same way as animals. They especially enjoyed trying to eat ‘worms’ from ‘soil’ just like a bird. Year 1 thought about the special parts of the body that animals have (such as wings, beaks and long strong legs) that help them to move in the way they do.

Year 3 investigate force and friction

Year 6 pupils had a lot of fun in finding out weather fruit can act as a battery to conduct electricity.

 
 
Science Displays

Useful Websites

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KoRVGS8stk - a great website where children can learn how animals are adapted to their environment (KS1)

https://www.schoolsofkingedwardvi.co.uk/ks2-science-year-6-3a-evolution-adaptation/ - a very useful website where children can learn how animals are adapted to their environment (upper KS2). It also includes a song to support learning.

https://www.educationquizzes.com/ks2/science/ - lots of useful interactive ideas and quizzes for learning about Science in all areas of the Science curriculum.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z2pfb9q - lots of useful resources to support learning and revision in Science.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zqkk7ty - a great resource to develop scientific practical skills and encourages children to explore types of enquiry in science investigations. Lots of videos are included.