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Science and STEM

Science at Whittingham Church of England Primary School

Intent

At Whittingham Church of England Primary School, we recognise the importance of science in helping children to understand themselves, their local environment and the wider world.

Our intention is to provide an ambitious, engaging and inclusive science curriculum that inspires curiosity, develops scientific thinking and encourages children to ask questions about the world around them. We want every child to develop secure scientific knowledge, a love of investigation and an understanding of how science impacts everyday life.

Our curriculum is carefully sequenced to ensure children progressively develop their understanding of biology, chemistry and physics alongside the skills of working scientifically. We place great importance on developing scientific vocabulary, practical enquiry and opportunities for children to think critically, solve problems and communicate their ideas with confidence.

Making the most of our rural setting, children regularly explore the natural environment through outdoor learning, educational visits and first-hand experiences. Through science, we encourage children to become kind, collaborative and courageous citizens who value evidence, care for God's creation and understand their responsibility to protect the environment for future generations.

Implementation

Science is taught through a carefully planned curriculum that builds knowledge and skills progressively from the Early Years Foundation Stage to the end of Key Stage 2.

Lessons begin by revisiting prior learning before introducing new knowledge, enabling children to make connections and retain important scientific concepts over time. Practical enquiry sits at the heart of our curriculum, with children regularly observing, questioning, investigating, measuring, recording and evaluating their findings using appropriate scientific vocabulary.

Teachers use effective questioning and ongoing assessment to identify misconceptions and ensure children develop a secure understanding before moving on. Reading, writing and mathematics are naturally incorporated into science through research, recording observations, presenting data and explaining scientific ideas.

Learning is enriched through outdoor learning, visits, visitors and the unique opportunities our local environment provides. Our curriculum is fully inclusive, with lessons carefully adapted so that every child, including those with SEND, can achieve success whilst providing appropriate challenge for all learners.


Impact

Children leave Whittingham Church of England Primary School with secure scientific knowledge, a strong understanding of how science helps us understand the world and the confidence to think and work like scientists.

They are able to ask thoughtful questions, carry out investigations safely, use scientific vocabulary accurately, explain their thinking and apply their learning to new situations. They understand the importance of evidence, appreciate the wonders of the natural world and recognise the role science plays in improving people's lives and protecting the environment.

Pupil voice demonstrates that children enjoy science, are curious learners and can confidently discuss what they have learned and remembered. They leave us well prepared for the next stage of their education as enthusiastic, resilient and responsible learners who are ready to contribute positively to their community and the wider world.
We love Science! Please see some examples of our children being involved in exciting investigations.
As part of Science and STEM week we had a special visit to the whole of Key Stage One and Two. The workshop was a Lego Robotics day. Class One enjoyed designing and making their own models using the Lego. The aim was that it would look good spinning as it moved round.
In Early Years they did some experiments linked to the theme of 'Space', they made a bubbling Planet and investigated making imprints into flour to recreate the Moons' surface and how it has craters in it from asteroids and even the footprints from Neil Armstrong!
The colder weather was the perfect opportunity to do some investigating around water and how it freezes and becomes ice in Early Years. The children went on a walk to collect some things that they could pop on the tray to try and freeze and then they filled the tray with water. The next day they found after the freezing temperatures it had completely frozen. The children talked about how it was originally a liquid and had become a solid. They really enjoyed trying to free the objects. 
In Early Years as part of their topic on 'Animals and our Planet' they have been learning about climate change and how using fossil fuels is heating our Earth up. They did an experiment where they made their own Earth on bread using food colouring, mixed with milk. They then popped them in the toaster to see what happened when they got heated up. You could see where the Earth was getting warmer on the edges where we hadn’t used the food colouring and milk. Afterwards the children enjoyed eating it! What a fab and fun experiment.
As part of Science week 2023 we welcomed Professor Wiggy from Science Boffins into school. We had a whole school assembly as well as a workshop for each class. Early years and Class 1 did workshops on 'Fabulous flames' and classes 2 and 3 workshops were 'Incredible illusions.'
As part of STEM week 2024 we were kindly joined by a parent who did some fantastic Tinkercad work with the children in Key Stage 2. 
We are keen scientists in Early Years and often do investigations, this was an investigation about floating and sinking, we made predictions and then checked to see if our predictions were right. We understand that if something floats it sits on top of the water and if it sinks it goes under the water. We had good fun and will investigate further and next week go onto making boats that float! 
In Class One we really enjoy learning about our different topics in Science. This year we have so far explored Animals including humans and this half term we are learning more about materials. We really enjoy practical lessons, exploring and experimenting. Our recent Materials hunt was brilliant, we found lots of different material around school including plastic, metal, stone and fabric. 
Class 2 love to carry out investigations in science lessons. So far this year we have learned about light and sound, magnets and forces and plants. We have made hydrophones and pumped all of the air out of a bell jar to see if sound can be heard when there is no medium for it to travel through. We have also planted different numbers of onion sets into pots to discover how competition for resources affects the growth of the onions.