Science
Our curriculum is structured around the National Curriculum and underpinned by our Christian Vision and Values. We believe that education should foster a love of learning and a deep respect for others and the world around us. We place a strong emphasis on developing the key skills of communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity, and believe that these skills are best developed through connected learning experiences that we call Curriculum Quests.
There are 3 science Curriculum Quests during the year, one per term, taught alongside key English literacy objectives, with each Quest lasting between two and four weeks, enabling children to become immersed in their learning and make meaningful connections between different subjects, topics, and activities.
We believe that a high- quality science education provides the foundations for understanding the world. Through building up a body of key foundational knowledge and concepts, pupils are encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity. Science in our school is about developing children’s ideas and ways of working which enables them to make sense of the world in which they live through investigation, as well as using and applying process skills. The staff at Upton Heath ensures that all children are exposed to high quality teaching and learning experiences, which includes exploring their outdoor environment and locality, trips and visits, and hands on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) activities in our STEM lab classroom. We believe that these experiences not only provide children with valuable skills and knowledge but also help them to remember the learning more effectively.
We recognise that each child is unique, and we strive to provide a broad and balanced Science curriculum that meets the needs of all our pupils, regardless of their background or ability. We work closely with parents and carers to support the learning and development of each child providing a range of support and guidance to help them achieve their full potential.
We ensure that current learning is linked to previous learning as part of a sequential curriculum, enabling children to achieve the end of year expectations in line with the National Curriculum 2014. Children are assessed on the key knowledge for each Curriculum Quest using online quizzes that are revisited throughout the year, further helping to ensure that learning is maintained.
At the end of each half term, classes take part in an ‘Exhibition’ of their learning. This is an opportunity for children to share what they have learnt with parents, peers and the wider community, giving them a genuine purpose for work that they produce as well as providing an opportunity to revisit their learning and further embed it into their long-term memory.