Science

The acquisition of sound scientific skills is relevant to every child due to the fundamental significance of science and technology in the modern world. Giving pupils access to future careers in science and technology is a vital component of their education.

Learning in science contributes greatly to personal development by teaching pupils to take an active role in maintaining their health and in the preservation of the natural environment. Appreciating the contributions science makes to society will help pupils to develop a sense of their responsibilities as members of society and the contributions they can make to it.

Developing an understanding of the key concepts of science will allow pupils to use them in unfamiliar situations and using scientific methods of investigation will help them to make successful, disciplined enquiries and use ideas to solve relevant problems. Appreciating the powerful but provisional nature of scientific knowledge and explanation will bring pupils closer to the process by which scientific models are created, tested and modified, allowing them to make informed judgements about current issues and trends, both on a personal, and global, level.

Aims and objectives
The Science department aims to take pupils through a structured curriculum that offers them every opportunity to develop a thorough understanding of scientific ideas, processes and skills and relate these to everyday experiences; to learn about ways of thinking and of finding out about and communicating ideas; and to explore values and attitudes through science. The core skills of Literacy, Numeracy and ICT are reinforced, developed and extended through the Science curriculum.

We aim for all children to:

• be curious about things they observe and experience and encourage them to explore the world around them with all their senses;
• develop their understanding of key scientific ideas through these experiences and begin to make links between different phenomena and experiences;
• try to make sense of phenomena, seeking explanations and thinking critically about claims and ideas;
• acquire and refine practical skills needed to investigate questions safely;
• develop skills of predicting, raising questions, concluding and evaluating based on evidence;
• practise mathematical skills of counting, ordering numbers, measuring, drawing and interpreting graphs and charts in real contexts;
• develop creative thinking and enjoy trying to make sense of phenomena;
• work co-operatively with others, listening to their ideas, valuing these and treating them with respect;
develop a respect for the environment and living things and for their own health and safety.

For an overview of the Science curriculum and topics covered, please click here: Science

Prize winner!

Nadia M, who is now in Upper School, was named as the winner in the Primary School category of the RSC Bill Bryson Prize in 2007.

The Royal Society of Chemistry, backed by Bill Bryson and his publishers, set up the award in 2006 with the aim of encouraging clear science communication in its widest form. The competition is open to all schools and sixth-form colleges in the UK and Ireland with 2 categories of entry: primary and secondary.

The competition was linked to the Chemistry Week 2007 theme 'Fuelling the Future'. Entries had to show how science is helping the environment through the development of energy-saving means of travel and transport. Nadia investigated the best way to travel to London from Liverpool comparing travel time, costs and environmental impact of aeroplane, train and car travel. As Nadia asks at the end of her report which route would you take - the quickest, cheapest or greenest? Nadia chose this topic as she had been studying about transport and the effects of carbon dioxide on the environment in her science lessons.

Nadia had her award presented by Bill Bryson in November at a ceremony in London.

Nadia M, winner of the Bill Bryson Prize
Nadia M, winner of the Bill Bryson Prize

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