Our Intent – What We Want for Our Children
At Barley Fields Primary, we believe Science helps children make sense of the world around them. Our aim is to spark curiosity, encourage children to ask questions and build a lifelong love of discovery.
Through our carefully designed Science curriculum, children learn how things work, why things happen, and how Science shapes everyday life and the world of work. Learning is intended to be hands-on, to provide children with plenty of chances to experiment, test out their ideas and talk about what they find. We give children opportunities to develop vocabulary and to help them use the right scientific words to explain their thinking clearly and confidently.
By the time they leave us, we want our children to be confident, curious thinkers who can talk about scientific ideas and understand the importance of Science in their lives and future careers.
Our Implementation – How We Teach Science
Science begins in the Early Years, where children explore the natural world through play and observation. This early curiosity grows throughout Key Stages 1 and 2 as children build on their knowledge in three main areas:
- Biology – living things, plants, animals and humans
- Chemistry – materials, rocks and soils
- Physics – forces, light, sound, electricity and space
Science is taught in blocks of lessons to ensure children have opportunities for a sustained period of study and have time to embed and enhance their learning. Our science lessons are practical, stimulating and inclusive, encouraging children to think like scientists — to ask questions, plan investigations, test ideas and use scientific vocabulary. We use a bespoke, research-informed scheme of work using content from the National Curriculum and supported by the White Rose Science curriculum, ensuring progression and continuity across the school.
Children are also inspired through Science Days, STEM activities and our friendly curriculum character, Simon the Scientist, who helps them reflect on the skills and qualities of a great scientist.
Our Impact – The Difference It Makes
Our approach to Science leads to confident, enthusiastic learners who follow and enjoy an engaging, high quality science learning journey which allows them to explore and discover new things.
Children at Barley Fields:
- Show curiosity and enthusiasm for Science
- Use scientific language to explain their ideas
- Apply their learning to real-life contexts
- Work collaboratively and think critically
We are proud of our children’ achievements in Science and the strong foundation they build for future learning. Above all, we want every child to leave Barley Fields inspired to keep asking questions about the world around them.