At Ashmount, the teaching of science is usually very hands on and allows children to develop the essential knowledge, methods and processes and uses of science.
In the EYFS, science is covered in the ‘Understanding the World’ area of the EYFS Curriculum. It is introduced indirectly through activities that encourage the children to explore, problem solve, observe, predict, think, make decisions and talk about the world around them. Early Years science also helps children to develop their skills in other Foundation Stage areas, such as Physical Development and Expressive Arts and Design.
During their first year at school, children will explore creatures, people, plants and objects in their natural environments. They will observe and manipulate objects and materials to identify differences and similarities. They will learn to use their senses, feeling dough or listening to sounds in the environment, such as sirens or farm animals. They will make observations of animals and plants and explain why things occur and talk about changes. Children will be encouraged to ask questions about why things happen and how things work.
As we are lucky enough to be based within a park, there are lots of possible opportunities for science learning outside of the classroom which teachers take advantage of. Where possible, we enrich our science curriculum with educational visits and workshops. By the end of KS2 children will have visited the science museum, a farm, a zoo, an aquarium and Hampstead Heath to name but a few places that children visit with a scientific focus. As well as this, children will have taken part in a number of science related workshops, led by UCL and other organisations.
In KS1 and KS2, this core subject is divided into three areas and linked through the element of Scientific Enquiry:
- Life Processes and Living Things
- Materials and their Properties
- Physical Processes
Click below for an overview of the science topics taught: