Science

Science Intent

Science at Radcliffe on Trent infant school is a practical part of the curriculum that enables our children to make sense of the world around them through our rainbow values.

• We are kind- We will use recycled materials build animal shelters, ponds and gardens for our local plants and animals to thrive.
• We are respectful-  Through trips to our local wood and river areas and the Woodland Trust’s ‘Green Tree Award Scheme’ we will learn the important role we play in the conservation of both local and world habitats.
• We are curious- We will think of questions about the world around us and look for answers by observing, testing and comparing. 
• We are creative –We will think of different ways to carry out our investigations and build works of art from a range of natural and recycled materials we have studied.
• We are resourceful –We will select and use a range of scientific equipment to measure and observe in our comparative tests.
• We are resilient- We will look for different ways to answer questions when our investigations don’t always give us the answers we expect.
• We share our thoughts –We will record our observations, create diagrams and explain what we have found out.
• We are reflective- We will use our findings to answer questions and solve problems and study the achievements of famous scientists.

Teaching aims and progressions

Our science investigations are carefully planned following Development Matters in the Early Years and the National Curriculum in KS1 with the children developing an awareness of the importance of science in everyday life. As they move through the school the children use increasingly complex scientific language, illustrations and equipment to explore concepts and to discuss, communicate and justify their ideas and conclusions. Meaningful links will be made to other curriculum areas throughout our topics and the key skills needed to work scientifically are returned to regularly within each year and Key stage. This is to ensure these embedded and built upon as part of each child’s schema of learning.

Aspirations for learners

Through our ‘hands-on’ and meaningful science curriculum we seek to develop the key scientific skills of questioning, observation, performing tests, identifying and classifying and recording our findings for all our children and will prepare them to become the scientists of the future.