Science Curriculum Overview 2023-24

Our vision for science is for pupils to become enthusiastic science learners who develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about science and acquire an understanding of the natural and humanly-constructed world around them.

The science curriculum at Minet Infant and Nursery School plays a central role in ‘raising aspirations,’ and ingraining the school’s values of respect, resilience and responsibility. We deliver the National Curriculum objectives ensuring pupils learn about materials, plants, habitats, and the changing seasons through hands on, practical learning. We aim to bring science to life by providing pupils opportunities to explore the world around them, and ask simple questions, recognising that they can be answered in different ways. The teaching of science is immersive and focuses on seeing learning in action as pupils are taught to plan, conduct and evaluate scientific experiments. Pupils will work scientifically to group and classify objects, materials and living things and use secondary sources of information to answer questions. Through first hand practical experiences, pupils will be equipped with the skills to use simple equipment to carry out simple tests and record and communicate results using simple scientific language. This active teaching approach promotes engagement with the topic and reinforces understanding of ideas and concepts.

Teaching and learning is not limited to the classroom but is enriched and enhanced through a range of experiences, for example pupils are taken on nature walks to locations such as Minet Country Park where they are encouraged to explore and interact with the natural world. We also cultivate a passion for science within our children by holding an annual science week in which we deliver exciting, interactive and educational workshops.

Learning is tailored to incorporate high level vocabulary that is challenging yet age-appropriate. Scientific terminology is introduced gradually throughout EYFS and KS1 and upon completion pupils are expected to be able to correctly define and use a wide range of scientific vocabulary.

Pupils are encouraged to think critically as science teaching at Minet is heavily enquiry based. Children are naturally curious about the world around them and this is channeled into their learning by allowing them to form questions after introducing a topic and after a series of lessons the aim is for these questions to be answered. This approach allows learning to become individualised and therefore engaging. Lesson planning is also designed to allow children to draw links between different taught concepts across the entire curriculum, further supporting children to think critically.

Science Week 2024

Minet Infants celebrated British Science Week 2024 with a bang! We learnt all about Volcanic eruptions and how they are caused over time. Children had a fantastic time in the workshop, building their own erupting volcanoes. Throughout the day, classes also did fun, practical science that everyone could really get their hands into.

Take a look at some of our wonderful learning in science: