Topics / themes are informed by the Pathways to Write long term curriculum plan, which is directly linked to the national curriculum. All themes are sensitive to children’s interests and linked to the context of our local area and wider. The curriculum at UHPS is carefully planned and structured to encapsulate our curriculum intent of REACH (Relevant, Engaging, Aspirational, Creative and Holistic).

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 should be encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. They should be encouraged to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and explain why things have occurred using scientific vocabulary.

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 ensure that all children are exposed to high quality teaching and learning experiences, which includes exploring their outdoor environment and locality, thus developing their scientific enquiry and investigative skills. They are immersed in scientific vocabulary, which aids children’s knowledge and understanding not only of the topic they are studying, but of the world around them. We intend to provide all children regardless of ethnic origin, gender, class, aptitude or disability, with a broad and balanced science curriculum. 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, the Science curriculum at UHPS aims to ensure that all pupils:

• Develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics.
• Develop understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through different types of science enquiries that help them to answer scientific questions about the world around them.
• Are equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future.