Science
At St Sampson’s C of E Primary school, we recognise that science is central to our lives: it explains our world, it maintains our world and it develops our world. Science is fundamental to our daily lives. A science education builds on children’s natural curiosity about the world, encourages respect for living organisms and the environment and gives them the foundations for understanding the world around them
At St. Sampson’s, we encourage all children to see themselves as scientists. Children are naturally inquisitive and science starts with asking questions about the world. In Early Years, children start their science learning with regular Welly Walks to help develop their understanding of the world around them. In subsequent years, children follow the national curriculum which is designed to ensure that all children are able to acquire the key knowledge that has been identified for each unit through the application of the working scientifically skills, including: planning and conducting experiments, observation over time, using equipment, researching information and explaining concepts. Where appropriate, they record their learning using labelled diagrams, tables, charts and written explanations.
As far as possible, science at St Sampson’s is a very “hands-on” subject with lots of opportunities to investigate and test ideas and have practical experiences of science. Recently, KS1 pupils’ science learning has included investigating habitats through outdoor learning, worm charming and a materials day. Children in KS2 have measured the solar system using fruit and toilet roll, investigated how to blow up a balloon without blowing into it and have even made plastic.