Our Science Curriculum

Science in EYFS

The Statutory Framework for the Early Years and Foundation Stage sets out the learning opportunities relating to Understanding the World. Within the children’s guided activities and free-flow provision, children are encouraged to make sense of their physical world and their community through opportunities to explore, observe and find out about people, places, technology and the environment.

Such activities are chosen to link in with the children’s current vehicle, which changes on a fortnightly basis, and is informed from current events and their interests.

Particular care is taken to ensure the children benefit from a healthy balance of indoor and outdoor learning opportunities, the latter taking advantage of our generous Foundation Stage garden area.

Science in Years 1 to 6

At Bradley Barton, we plan our delivery of science teaching according to the 2104 National Curriculum for England and Wales.

· Scientific Knowledge objectives within the broader realms of biology, chemistry and physics. The teaching of natural science (biology) takes place in our specialist Outdoor Classroom lessons, whilst objectives relating to Physics and Chemistry are taught in children’s classes.

· Objectives relating to Working Scientifically are practical skills that are taught and revisited throughout the year in both class and Outdoor Classroom. These are the practical science skills associated with predicting, planning, carrying out, concluding and evaluating investigations.

Where possible, science is planned for and taught as part of our meaningful and motivating "vehicles" Teachers start by finding out children’s existing knowledge. They then use this to identify the key learning opportunities for the half term. 

Our curriculum is supported by a generous science resources such as data loggers, electronic miscroscopes, digital scales, interactive organ models, and renewable energy generators Where possible, we provide inspiring opportunities for children to learn from "STEM ambassadors" (professionals who use science within their job), such as when a marine biologist led a hands-on workshop all about thermal insulation of whales and penguins!

We track our children's attainment across both Scientific Knowledge and Working Scientifically on a termly basis; our rigorous whole-school tracking system ensures that any areas of difficulty can be returned to at an appropriate time to promote mastery of scientific knowledge and skills.

Extra Curricular opportunities on offer at Bradley Barton currently include enrichment trips to our local secondary schools, Coombeshead Academy and Newton Abbot College, along with the hugely popular Fizz Pop Science Clubs, which are available to all children in Years 1 to 6. In November 2019, a group of 24 Key Stage Two children also took part in a "exploding candy workshop" at Plymouth University, where they experienced first-hand what it is like to study science in higher education.