Science

The Science Curriculum at Brentfield:

At Brentfield Primary School, we recognise the importance of science in every aspect of daily life. We aim to deliver a hands on, enquiry based science curriculum; one that ignites curiosity and creates a sense of awe and wonder, while developing our children’s scientific concept of their world.

Children are taught to acquire key scientific knowledge and apply scientific skills through a range of hands on experiences. They are encouraged to develop an 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. The link between science and maths is made explicit by encouraging children to apply their mathematical knowledge to their understanding of science, including collecting, presenting and analysing data. 

In the Early Years Foundation Stage, children explore their natural world, making simple observations. They also understand important processes and changes in the world around them. Knowledge is taught through teacher led carpet sessions and skills are embedded throughout the continuous provision. Children are encouraged to be inquisitive and use a range of skills associated with working scientifically, including questioning, researching and observing for themselves.

In Years 1-6, topics are informed by the national curriculum and contextualised where possible to our children’s everyday lives, so that learning is meaningful. Topics such as plants, seasonal changes and living things and their habitats are taught throughout the year, and all other topics have been carefully sequenced so that new knowledge and skills build on what has been taught before. This allows children to build upon their prior knowledge and increases their enthusiasm for the topics whilst embedding this procedural knowledge into the long-term memory.  

All science lessons include a quick recall of the scientific approaches that scientists use to find out more about the world and the skills that enable them to do so. This is followed by a recap of previous learning, introduction to new learning, explicit teaching of key vocabulary, explicit teaching of new knowledge and an application activity. All lessons end with a review of previous learning which helps to embed previously taught concepts. 

At Brentfield, we believe that “the future belongs to the curious; the ones who are not afraid to try it, explore it, poke at it, question it and turn it inside out.” The design of our curriculum enables us to foster this and ensure that our children are prepared for life in an increasingly scientific and technological world, today and in the future.