Teaching of Science

At Westwood Infant school our Science curriculum provides children with an increasing knowledge and understanding of the world around them, with a focus on developing Scientific vocabulary through hands on, practical experiences. 

In the Foundation Stage, Science is taught following the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum and mainly appears within the area of learning called 'Understanding the world'. 

Early Learning Goal - The World

(end of EYFS)  

• Explore the natural world around them, making observations and drawing pictures of animals and plants.
• Know some similarities and differences between the natural world around them and contrasting environments, drawing on their experiences and what has been read in class.
• Understand some important processes and changes in the natural world around them, including the seasons and changing states of matter

In Key Stage One, we follow the aims and content of the National Curriculum.

Aims

The national curriculum for science aims to ensure that all pupils:

• develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics
• develop 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
• are equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future. 

The Key Stage One Programme of Study for Years 1 and 2 covers the following strands:

• Working Scientifically
• Plants
• Animals, including humans
• Everyday Materials 
• Uses of Everyday Materials

Where ever possible we teach cross curricular and make use of our outdoor environment to enhance learning. 

Through our Science curriculum at Westwood, we encourage children to work practically, use the correct scientific vocabulary, record learning in a variety of ways and ask their own questions, in order to develop a deep and lasting interest in Science. 

What's inside a pumpkin?

Reception explored the inside of pumpkins. We had to made a prediction about what was inside. We thought:

• It would be orange inside
• It would be slimy
• Some of us thought it would be hard
• Some of us thought it would be soft
• We would find seeds

We found out that some of these things were true, but not all pumpkins are orange on the inside! We also explored which parts were soft and which were hard. Some of us then chose to try to plant some pumpkin seeds!

Visitors

Education Life bus

Guy and Gerald the Giraffe came to our school to teach us all about our bodies and how to stay healthy. 

Lion Learners

Our Children had a visit from Kristan who brought along some of her pets for us to learn all about. She showed us a range of Amphibians, Reptiles and Mammals and told us all about their natural habitats, what they eat and interesting facts about each of them. 

Trips

Greens Windmill

Our Reception, year 1 and year 2 children enjoyed a brilliant day out to Greens Windmill in Nottingham. During our visit we learnt all about the process of making flour from growing it into the field to grinding the wheat in the Windmill to make flour. We also had the opportunity to bake some bread and explore the science centre. 

Useful Links