Science Curriculum Statement
At Fairfield Primary School, our vision is that the teaching of science provides the foundations for exploring and discovering the world around them through the disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics.
By providing a stimulating science curriculum which nurtures children’s natural curiosity, we aim to enthuse and inspire children to develop a lifelong love of science. Children will have the opportunity to ask questions, use scientific vocabulary and collect and present data using cutting-edge equipment in order to make meaningful links between classroom learning and real life.
We aim to give our children a science curriculum which enables them to become confident, creative and independent learners. We seek to broaden children’s experiences with strong connections within our local area and globally in the wider world around them. Children will be given experiences to support their scientific discovery and exploration both inside and outside the classroom through educational visits, visitors and hands-on experiments.
We believe that within science lessons, our children acquire a wide range of knowledge and skills, which they can then apply to other subjects. As they leave Fairfield, children will be equipped with the scientific skills required to understand the uses and implications of science today and in the future.
Examples of Science Subject Maps
Science Curriculum Overview
Science in Action
The galleries below show out pupils, from Nursery to Year 6 exploring and discovering the world around them through the disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics within our Science Curriculum.
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Practical Investigations
Our Science Curriculum allows opportunities for pupils to explore, discover, hypothesise and test ideas. Our practical learning experience is central to developing our children's’ working scientifically skills; it also engages them and communicates the wonder and excitement of science. It is only by doing practical investigations themselves that children develop a more scientific understanding of the world around them and begin to understand the nature of science. We recognise that practical investigation is important, because it:
- develops pupils’ science skills
- develops their understanding of the nature of science
- supports their learning and understanding of scientific concepts
- motivates children and develops their curiosity about the world.
The photographs below show pupils enjoying practical exploration in topics including: The Human Body, Light and Shadows, Plants and Germination, Ecosystems, Digestion and even some fantastic CREST activities:
British Science Week
British Science Week 2023
This year’s theme for British Science Week 2023 was connections. To celebrate this, here at Fairfield, we have explored how different careers have connections to Science. Each year group, across the school, has had a visit from a different profession. We have had visits from: a veterinary nurse, an electrician, forensic police officers, a design engineer from M-Sport, a sport coach, a parent, who works at Sellafield studying physics, and even a live lesson with a farmer!
Each visit has provided the children with an insight into these professionals and an awareness of how these careers have a connection to Science.
A huge thank you to our volunteers for giving up their time to provide these wonderful experiences to our children last week.
British Science Week 2022
This week has seen Fairfield become scientists! To celebrate British Science Week, the whole school have carried-out an investigation linked to this year’s theme ‘growth’. Their challenge was to investigate... Can a gummy bear grow?
Pupils from Nursery to Year 6 have been developing their working scientifically skills by: making predictions, setting-up tests, observing and measuring (using equipment) and recording the results.
On Monday, there were lots of discussions and hypotheses created as the challenge was announced. Throughout the week, there has been a real 'buzz' around the school as children have observed closely, with anticipation, waiting to discover which class could grow the biggest gummy bear..
The results were recorded today and celebrated in assembly; a huge well done to 4CT, who successful grew a gummy bear measuring 5.1cm.
Please note: British Science Week is celebrated every year at Fairfield Primary School; the information and photographs above show our celebrations and fabulous scientific learning from the most recent years.
Moon Rocks
We were extremely lucky to get our hands on rare samples of moon rocks and meteorites, which were collected during some of NASA’s first manned space missions to the Moon.
During their Key Stage assemblies, children were given the opportunity to handle some lunar rocks, which were loaned to us by the UK’s Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), and find out more information about how the samples were collected.
We thought they were truly out of this world and they certainly helped to enrich Year 1 and Year 5’s scientific learning on Space!
