Science

Intent

At Park Road we place great emphasis on investigative skills in science.  We believe that children understand scientific concepts more effectively if they have practical experience of carrying out experiments and by linking our activities to real life contexts, we give meaning to our learning. This also makes science a lot of fun!

Scientific enquiry skills such as observing over time, pattern seeking, identifying, classifying and grouping, comparative and fair testing and researching using secondary sources are embedded into each topic the children study with the aim of helping them to develop their curiosity and understanding of the world around them.

Throughout their time at Park Road, children learn about life and living processes (Biology), physical processes (Physics) and materials and their properties (Chemistry), sometimes revisiting topics to help deepen their knowledge and understanding.

Scientific thinking begins in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) through the Understanding the World area of the Early Years curriculum. Through this children are encouraged to explore, problem solve, observe, predict and talk about the world around them through exciting and engaging play activities.

In Key Stage 1 we encourage the children to look more closely at the world around them. Topics such as ‘Animals and Humans’ and ‘Plants’ allow children to begin to ask questions about what they observe and develop their skills of thinking scientifically.

In Key Stage 2 we continue to develop scientific thinking and topics such as ‘Forces’, ‘Reversible and Irreversible Changes’ and ‘Earth, Space and Beyond’ allow children to really develop their investigative, problem solving and team work skills.

We also encourage our children to apply their writing and mathematical knowledge to their understanding of science, including writing explanations, report writing, making accurate measurements and presenting data in different ways.

Regular, practical science lessons are enhanced through workshops in school, such as learning about fossils in Year 4 and class visits, for example to Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre, Chester Zoo and Knowsley Safari Park and help to maximise our children’s learning experiences.

We also explore the lives and work of important scientists including Mary Anning and Sir Isaac Newton to further enhance our pupils’ science capital.

Our annual ‘Science Share Day’, run in collaboration with the University of Manchester, is an entire day dedicated to scientific skills and knowledge and ensures that science is a fun, challenging and engaging part of our curriculum.