Cranborne Primary School

Science at Cranborne is a subject which aims to provoke children’s curiosity about the world around them. From a young age, we encourage children to be inquisitive and children are taught to question things for themselves. Science is a popular subject as lessons are engaging, thought provoking and fun.

Throughout our programme of study, the children acquire and develop the key knowledge that has been identified within each unit they are taught. The key knowledge identified by each year group is informed by the National Curriculum.

Working scientifically skills are also mapped for each year group, and the children are given regular opportunities to plan and carry out practical experiments. These enquiry skills are progressive throughout the school and are in accordance with the expectations of the National Curriculum. 

Our Science Curriculum

Foundation Stage

In the foundation stage, Science comes under the area of learning  'Understanding the World'.  Children are encouraged to talk about similarities and differences within the world around them including places, objects, materials and living things.  They should be able to talk about the environment around them and how environments can be the same and different.  Children are encouraged to make observations of animals and plants, as well as explaining why some things happen and occur. By the end of the year the children are expected to:

• Explore the natural world around them, making observations and drawing pictures of animals and plants
• Know some similarities and differences between the natural world around them and contrasting environments, drawing on their experiences and what has been read in class
• Understand some important processes and changes in the natural world around them, including the seasons and changing states of matter.

Please see below our Science Curriculum Map that shows the topics covered in each year group:

Why not visit the Natural History Museum and Science Museum from your home?

Check out these virtual tours! 

Natural History Museum 

https://naturalhistory.si.edu/visit/virtual-tour

Science Museum 

 https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/virtual-tour-science-museum

STEM

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths) is playing an increasingly large role in education and a solid foundation across the spectrum of these subjects will stand our children in good stead for life at secondary school and beyond.

Exposing children to these subjects and making them both fun and interesting will help them to do so much more than just learn.    

Would you like to try some STEM activities at home with your child?

Have a look at the websites and guides below to give you some ideas of activities you could try at home.

Have fun!