Curiosity and questions

In Science we research and experiment.

Our science curriculum is intended to create scientists; children who are eager to investigate and to ask questions, seeking out answers to these. We provide opportunities for children to learn independently and collaboratively, with and without the class teacher to explore the world around them.  From EYFS to Year 6, children are given the opportunities to explore and investigate a variety of products and phenomena. We ensure opportunities for the 5 lines of enquiry are frequent and provide children with the chance to look at a variety of research and scientists. 

Key Principles of Science

“We know that good science occurs in our school when…”

• Children are engaged and excited
• Children are active learners and work practically
• Children have opportunities to investigate and explore their own ideas
• Children feel inspired to find out more
• Children confidently use Scientific Vocabulary
• Children explain and discuss their predictions and findings of investigations
• Children use a range of Scientific and ICT equipment where necessary
• Children explore Science inside and outside the classroom
• Teachers ask open questions to expand children’s thinking
• Work is adapted so all children can access and learn
• Teachers have high expectations of all children

Substantive and Disciplinary Knowledge in Science

Substantive knowledge is the carefully sequenced, factual knowledge that we learn through our curriculum; our life-long learning and other information that we learn alongside this. Substantive knowledge cannot be learnt in isolation, but requires prior knowledge that enables us to make sense of what we have learnt. We learn this through the sequencing of our lessons. Prior knowledge must be revisited and misconceptions actively diagnosed.

Disciplinary knowledge is the way in which we learn. In science we learn through testing a hypothesis or through exploring objectives and phenomena. We call these 'Thinking Scientifically'.

Progression in Science

Progression is carefully planned into our Science curriculum. We evidence this in a number of ways including the following: 

• Working scientifically progression
• Vocabulary progression
• STEM sentences progression
• Topic progression across year groups
• Progression of individual topics showing how they are sequenced

What our pupils say about Science at Oakhill

"I enjoy using the science equipment when we complete investigations."

"Investigations are fun and they are the best part of our science learning."