At Healdswood, our science curriculum ensures learning is exciting, challenging and meets all children’s needs. We follow the National Curriculum and shape it to suit the needs of our children best. Scientific learning exposes children to the importance of science in society and how it relates to everyday life. It encourages children to ask questions about the world and gives them the opportunity to find out in ways they may not have imagined before. We strongly believe that our children are entitled to a broad and balanced curriculum, and we provide this through both scientific knowledge and skills. These come through the ‘scientific enquiry’ strands that are then built upon each year, in order for them to become more independent, competent scientists. Our aim is for our children to become scientists who are equipped with both the knowledge and skills to explore the world and to understand the implications and uses of science today, and for the future. 

There is a strong emphasis on working scientifically through the specific disciplines of biology, physics and chemistry. We use adaptive teaching, to ensure an inclusive approach with all learners accessing the subject.

We intend for children to meet the expectations of the science curriculum and that key knowledge transfers into their long-term memory, paving the way for children to become well-rounded individuals ready to lead their best lives.

In EYFS, children experience science via 'The World' element of the EYFS framework. Children have the opportunity to explore science within the continuous provision alongside some direct mini-teaches. EYFS lays the foundations children need to become competent scientists as they progress to the National Curriculum in KS1. 

In KS1, we teach science every week for at least one hour. We believe a primarily practical approach to learning science is best as it allows for ample opportunities to work scientifically, a key requirement of the National Curriculum. Units of learning include: Animals Including Humans, Plants, Seasonal Changes, Living things and their Habitats, Materials. Scientific enquiry is woven throughout each unit of learning. 

Curriculum content is laid out in the form of knowledge organisers, scientific enquiry skills ladders and curriculum overviews for each year group. See images and documents below for further details.