At Clapgate, we understand the important role science plays in our pupils’ education and the wider world. We work on developing their scientific capital through providing a range of scientific opportunities beyond the classroom. Teachers regularly use outdoor learning to teach science and pupils benefit from the brilliant grounds we have, including our allotment and campfire area. Pupils at Clapgate also have access to weekly chemistry club, trips and visitors, and annual science week opportunities, including a science fair. encourage our children to develop a sense of curiosity and to investigate the world around them.
We ensure that all pupils make progress by carefully sequencing the learning so children’s understanding of scientific skills and knowledge are built on and links are made to make learning ‘stick’.
Our science teaching is underlined by our principles:
– Lessons promote reasoning skills, resilience and the use of scientific vocabulary.
– Lessons are practical, experiment based, accessible for all and child-led.
– Lessons are active and take place outdoors.
– Misconceptions are addressed.
– Children are engaged and teachers are enthusiastic.
– Children are curious and make good progress
Children carry out a range of experiments and investigations involving different types of approaches including; classifying and identifying, observation, pattern seeking, research and comparative and fair testing.