Why do we learn science?
Pupils at Ark Conway find awe and wonder in the world around them and this is directly encouraged by our Science curriculum. Our approach to Science is to inspire curiosity in all our pupils to want to discover the Scientific concepts that rule our environment and constantly ask and seek the answer to ‘Why?’.
We believe that our Science curriculum should excite all pupils through the learning of key Scientific skills and concepts all of which is underpinned by the practical element of investigations, experiments and exploration. An understanding of the world around them and the laws that govern their universe inspires our pupils to see Science as a career opportunity to positively contribute to their own futures and the future of our planet.
Our approach
Our teachers interact with a high-quality knowledge-based curriculum called ‘Ark Curriculum+’. This Science curriculum progresses children through the necessary skills and concepts to allow them to be active members of the STEM community in their wider lives. Children are taught units which correlate with the 3 key aspects of Science: Physics, Biology and Chemistry. These key aspects are taught in every year group and there is a clear progression of skills and concepts in each Year group. The children read and understand new concepts each lesson and once they have acquired the knowledge necessary they explore these through experiments and investigations.
Children’s knowledge is assessed every lesson through a low-stake quiz and the subsequent lessons are adapted to suit the needs of the children. This Science learning is also supplemented by school trips and STEM week. STEM week provides the children with whole school science learning opportunities as well as having experiences of meeting and working with real and active scientists, further encouraging a joy of all things Scientific.
Reception - Understanding the World
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
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We will be exploring the question below through our afternoon lessons and free flow.
We will learn about the following topics: What we look like Where we belong Who looks after us What is inside our body How we can stay healthy We will finish off the term by hosting a Farah class exhibition, where we display our self-portraits to our families. |
We will be exploring the question below through our afternoon lessons and free flow.
We will learn about the following topics: Why we use lights at night and the difference between a light source and a reflective material. The story of Diwali and how it is celebrated throughout the world How shadows are made The phases of the moon Nocturnal animals The Nativity Story |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
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We will be exploring the question below through our afternoon lessons and free flow. We will be creating different items and be learning: To hypothesize about how things work and why things happen To ask big questions and speculate To be able to talk articulately about things they have enjoyed and created To make plans, have a go and make changes to make things work |
We will be exploring the question below through our afternoon lessons and free flow. We will be learning about: Where we live and where we have been. Comparing the sizes and bodies of animals Habitats and locations of animals Creating stories using our bodies and words |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
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Children explore:
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We will be exploring the question below through our afternoon lessons and exploratory play. We will be learning to: Talk about things that happened in the past Talk about important processes and changes in the world around us Talk about changes of state (seasons, lifecycles, evaporation) Talk about how we can look after the environment |
Year 1
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Everyday Materials |
Autumn and Winter |
| Spring | |
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Amazing Animals |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
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Spring and Summer |
Plants |
Year 2
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
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Animals: Needs for Survival |
Use of Materials |
| Spring | |
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Habitats |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
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Protecting our Environment |
Plants: Bulbs and Growth |
Year 3
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
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Skeletons and Muscles |
Rocks and Fossils |
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Spring |
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Light and Shadows |
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| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
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Plants: Needs for Survival |
Forces and Magnet |
Year 4
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
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Teeth and Digestion |
States of Matter |
| Spring | |
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Classification and Environments |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
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Sound |
Electricity |
Year 5
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
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Earth and Space |
Forces |
| Spring | |
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Materials: Properties and Changes |
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| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
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Life cycles |
Growing Old |
Year 6
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
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Light and perception |
Classification |
| Spring | |
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Evolution and Inheritance |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
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Electricity |
Circulation and Lifestyle |