At Medstead, we aim for children to develop a love for Science through thinking like a scientist.  Lessons are carefully sequenced, where teachers pose exciting questions or thoughts and the children have opportunities to explore them further by sharing ideas, asking questions and fostering curiosity in the natural world around them.

The National Curriculum objectives will be met through carefully planned and progressive subject knowledge, that is then used to solve problems that are relevant and engaging, where possible posed by the children themselves. Throughout our learning, the skills to engage in scientific enquiry are woven through. These include planning investigations, conducting experiments, recording results, reporting and drawing conclusions from our results. Teachers ensure that learning is exciting and show concepts in ways that foster understanding such as by making a ‘blood smoothie’ to show the elements of human blood!

Our youngest children, in Oak Class, love exploring our amazing school grounds during their woodland classroom time with an experienced woodland leader. One of the aspirations for our children includes being able to communicate how to care for the plants and animals in our grounds, so they go out in all weathers to explore our extraordinary surroundings first-hand. Flexibility within the curriculum also means they make the most of opportunities that arise, such as an icy walk or a bird’s nest found, and follow the children’s interests where possible.  These experiences are built on as children progress into Key Stage 1 and beyond.

In Key Stage 1, the progression continues and new vocabulary is introduced. Children begin to record some of their observations and ideas in a variety of ways in their designated Science books. Through practical activities and first hand experiences children develop their knowledge on the key concepts within the National Curriculum. The progression goes right the way through the school into Key Stage 2 when children revisit and embed concepts, also adding some new lines of enquiry, such as evolution and inheritance that build upon previous knowledge gained.

We link learning about the work of famous scientists and include exciting new scientific discoveries to inspire the children. Further afield, trips include going to a farm, aquarium or Marwell zoo where children can find out about the characteristics and structure of different animals. We also invite people in share their expertise with the children such as local wildlife charities or exotic animal experts. We foster a love of growing things, through our school gardens and have entered competitions with our produce.  Our wild area plays a key part in the teaching of environmental science and is used in scientific projects throughout the school.

Where possible, science is linked to other subjects such as a moral dilemma when it comes to global warming, in PHSCE, or materials to build with in Design Technology. We cover biology, physics and chemistry with the aim is to give all children access to question, discover and make sense of the amazing world we live in and to foster curiosity, awe and wonder.