Science
Science at Woodlands
Intent
Science at Woodlands is fun, investigative, engaging and active. It is an integral part of our curriculum, enabling children to understand the world around them and to ask questions about how and why things happen.
From EYFS to Year 6, our science teaching focuses on developing children's understanding of how and why things happen. Questioning is at the heart of our teaching as we encourage children to become inquisitive thinkers, ask questions, challenge ideas and find out more through practical, investigative and active learning.
We want our children to develop a curiosity about the world around them and become confident, knowledgeable and enthusiastic young scientists.
Implementation
Our science curriculum is designed to develop and revisit knowledge and skills, build on children's prior learning, encourage questioning and investigation, and help children make links between science and the real world.
Across the school, children are given regular opportunities to explore, observe, ask questions, investigate and develop their scientific understanding through practical and meaningful experiences.
Specialist Inclusion Base
Within our Specialist Inclusion Base, science is adapted and personalised to ensure that all pupils can access meaningful scientific experiences appropriate to their individual communication, sensory, developmental and learning needs.
Science is highly practical and experiential, providing opportunities for pupils to explore, investigate and develop their understanding of the world around them. Learning is informed by the Sensory Curriculum, appropriate aspects of White Rose Science, and Engagement Steps and Primary Steps assessment statements.
Through sensory exploration, observation, investigation and cause-and-effect experiences, pupils develop scientific knowledge and skills at an appropriate developmental level. They have opportunities to observe, compare, sort, explore changes and notice similarities and differences.
Science is delivered through our four-year rolling programme, allowing pupils to experience a broad range of scientific concepts and revisit and build upon previous learning. Activities are carefully adapted to individual needs and may involve exploring through sight, sound, touch, smell and, where appropriate and safe, taste.
Adults model scientific vocabulary alongside pupils' individual communication methods, including spoken language, Makaton, symbols, visuals and communication boards. Through repetition, modelling and practical experiences, pupils are supported to develop curiosity, make choices, communicate their observations and build their understanding over time.
EYFS Science
In EYFS, children develop the foundational knowledge, vocabulary and skills that support their future science learning. Through hands-on exploration, play, discussion and observation, children are encouraged to be curious about the world around them and to ask questions, notice changes and explore how things work.
Children develop their understanding of:
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Plants: observing plants and trees through seasonal walks and noticing changes across the seasons.
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Animals, including humans: exploring different animals, their features and body parts, as well as similarities and differences.
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Materials: exploring and using different materials through play and activities such as junk modelling, noticing and describing their properties.
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Seasonal change: observing changes in the weather and environment through regular outdoor experiences and discussion.
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Working scientifically: developing early skills through curiosity, observation, questioning, exploration, problem-solving and investigation.
These experiences provide a strong foundation for the more formal science learning children begin in Year 1.
Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2
In Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, our science curriculum is based on the White Rose Science scheme, which supports the progression of knowledge and scientific skills across the school.
Children study units covering biology, chemistry and physics. Key scientific concepts are revisited throughout their time at Woodlands, allowing children to deepen their understanding and build increasingly secure subject knowledge.
Our curriculum provides regular opportunities for children to work scientifically. This includes:
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observing over time
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identifying, classifying and grouping
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noticing and describing patterns
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carrying out comparative and fair tests
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researching using secondary sources
Through these experiences, children develop the knowledge, skills and curiosity they need to think and work like scientists.
Science Curriculum Overview and Science Policy
Please see our Science Curriculum Overview and our Science Policy below for further information about what children learn in each year group.
