Our vision for Science teaching at Deanesfield Primary School is that all children are given a wide range of opportunities to enquire, investigate, record, solve problems and think like scientists. Our children’s natural curiosity is developed through carefully planned lessons, using a range of teaching techniques, which enable children to explore and question the world around them in new and exciting ways. We aim to recognise the importance of Science in every aspect of daily life.

As one of the core subjects taught in primary school, we give the teaching and learning of Science the prominence it requires and as such it takes up more teaching time than many other subjects. 

Our curriculum is based on a set of key principles which we believe are central to children's scientific understanding. Our lessons aim to increase pupils’ knowledge and understanding of our world and give them the skills they need to become independent investigators.

We endeavour to teach children those transferable skills that enable them to reach other areas of the curriculum by providing opportunities for critical evaluation of evidence and at the same time try to use scientific learning to help support basic skills such as data handling and explanation.

Science allows the natural curiosity of the child to develop and we aim to promote this discovery whilst allowing children to use and respect the world around them: both the physical environment and living organisms. We strongly favour outdoor learning wherever possible.

Our proximity to central London means that our science curriculum is further enhanced with a range of carefully planned educational visits  e.g. the Natural History and Science museums in London, as well as workshops and visitors coming into school to inspire and fascinate children, such as a Mobile Planetarium.

Our science teaching offers opportunities for children to develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through a carefully planned progression of topics. Topics are often revisited so that prior knowledge can be successfully built upon.

Key Stage 1 and 2 use the National Curriculum to provide a structure and skill development for the science curriculum being taught across the school.  In Early years, children learn through carefully planned play in both their indoor and outdoor learning environments. 

We strive to ensure that the impact of the Science curriculum we provide will give children the confidence and motivation to continue to further develop their skills into the next stage of their education and life experiences. This confidence is displayed through our annual science week. Assessment of these skills are also evidenced using both individual books and a summative class learning record known as a Floor Book.