Science at Eastrop

Our Science Leader is Mrs Chappell-King.

The principal focus of science teaching in key stage 1 is to enable pupils to experience and observe phenomena, looking more closely at the natural and humanly-constructed world around them. They should begin to use simple scientific language to talk about what they have found out and communicate their ideas to a range of audiences in a variety of ways.

Our Vision for Science

Through a practical and enjoyable curriculum, Eastrop looks to inspire and excite our children, feeding their thirst for knowledge. They should be encouraged to be curious and ask questions about what they notice. They should be helped to develop their understanding of scientific ideas by using different types of scientific enquiry to answer their own questions. Most learning about science should be done through the use of first-hand practical experiences, but there should also be some use of appropriate secondary sources, such as books, photographs and videos. ‘Working scientifically’ must always be taught through and clearly be related to the teaching of substantive science content in the programme of study.

Science at Eastrop promotes and develops transferable skills; such as observation, communication, collaboration and enquiry through real life contexts. In science, we will inspire our children by giving them the opportunities to pursue their natural curiosity. Through child led investigations, we hope to promote the experience of exploring and investigating scientific concepts in a range of contexts, as the children continually investigate and understand the world around them. Our children are encouraged to take risks, experiment, reflect, make and learn from misconceptions, in a safe environment where they acquire and apply core skills to equip them for an ever-changing world.

Pupil Voice Wordle:

Working Scientifically

These are the skills needed for young scientists

Ask simple questions
Use simple equipment to make observations
Communicate ideas in a variety of ways
Perform simple comparative tests
Identify, group and classify
Use observations and ideas to answer questions
Gather and record data to answer questions including from secondary sources.

Science Curriculum

Each year group teaches one Hamilton Trust unit of science per term. These are, wherever possible, linked to our termly topic. Where this is not possible, science is then taught as a discrete subject for that term.

Over the year, the units provide opportunities to teach all the Statutory Programmes of Study that are required for each year group for Science in Key Stage 1.

Click the links below to see how science is taught and organised in KS1 and Early Years.

Science Programme of Study

Working Scientifically Skills Progression

Curriculum Progression Map for Science

Science WOW Days at Eastrop

Whole School Science Day

The children (and staff!) all had a fantastic day filled with fun and exciting experiments. The children visited each classroom where they discovered something new to experience and spark their interest. Activities included creating static electricity to stick balloons to walls and making rockets!

The day started with a fantastic assembly presented by Mr Pearson from Highworth Warneford School. There were lots of oohs and aahs as he showed the children some fizz-popping experiments!

The best bit was when he made an explosion. It was so loud!

Year 1 child

Eco - Animal Encounter

The children in Year 2 were very brave when Eco Animal Encounters came and visited this week. As part of Year 2's Going Wild Topic, the children have been learning about rainforest animals and how they are suited to living in the rainforest. the children learnt lots of facts about a wide range of creatures and some were even brave enough to hold some of the animals. Here is the African Bull Frog, one of the many animals that visited Eastrop.

World Space Week

The Moon: Gateway to the Stars

This week Eastrop took part in one of the largest space events on Earth. World Space Week got off to an exciting start with an assembly from Swindon Astronomers Mr and Mrs Wilkie who taught the children many exciting facts about the moon and answered any of the children’s questions. Some of the children were lucky enough to see some of the moon rock samples Mr and Mrs Wilkie had brought in with them.

Reception children have been busy printing aliens using the numicon pieces and paint. Some children even named their aliens!

Year 1 got creative with their learning. They made moon models from papier mache and textured moon paintings.

Year 2 designed and made space rovers using junk modelling techniques and some wrote posters about the moon using the facts they had remembered from this week.

Science in the Early Years

In Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum, your child will start to gain scientific skills and knowledge that they’ll build upon throughout their primary school years, such as developing their skills of observation, prediction, critical thinking and discussion.

Science at Foundation Stage is introduced indirectly through activities that encourage your child to explore, problem solve, observe, predict, think, make decisions and talk about the world around them. It’s called ‘knowledge and understanding of the world’.

Early Years science also helps children develop their with skills in other areas of the Foundation Stage curriculum such as physical development and creative development.

Click here to find out how science is linked in other Foundation Stage areas.

Welly Walks!

Welly Walks are great fun and they are hugely beneficial for children, both physically and mentally. They help to build confidence and independence. Working as a team outdoors helps children to bond as a group and encourages them to care for each other and their environment.