Science

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” Benjamin Franklin

‘The future belongs to the curious. The ones who are not afraid to try it, explore it, poke at it, question it and turn it inside out.’  - New York Children's Museum of science and engineering

At Cranmere Primary School, we aim to equip our children with a sense of curiosity that allows them to make sense of the world in which they live. We believe that science equips children with the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to make sense of an ever-changing world and to become informed, responsible citizens of the future.

As technology and society continue to evolve, many of our children's future careers may not yet exist. Therefore, we believe it is essential that they understand how science has transformed lives in the past, continues to shape the present, and will play a vital role in the future prosperity and sustainability of our world.

Our science curriculum has been carefully designed to build knowledge progressively. Key concepts are revisited throughout the curriculum, allowing children to secure prior learning, deepen their understanding and make meaningful connections between ideas. This cumulative approach enables children to master scientific knowledge while developing an increasingly rich and precise scientific vocabulary. It also supports teachers in identifying and addressing misconceptions or gaps in learning by drawing on previously taught content.

Through our curriculum, children develop an understanding of the importance of science in protecting and sustaining life on Earth. They are encouraged to ask questions, think critically and apply their knowledge through a wide range of scientific enquiries. Children learn to plan investigations, gather and record data, present findings using graphs and tables, interpret evidence and draw conclusions based on their observations.

Children experience a broad range of enquiry types, including observing over time, identifying and classifying, pattern seeking, comparative and fair testing, and researching using secondary sources. These experiences help children develop a secure understanding of the nature of science as a discipline, enabling them to appreciate how scientific knowledge is developed and how it differs from other areas of learning.

Throughout their scientific journey, children explore the work of significant scientists whose discoveries have transformed our understanding of the world. By learning about these pioneering individuals, children recognise that science is a continual process of questioning, discovery and innovation that has shaped the past and continues to influence the future.

We make full use of our outdoor environment to enrich learning, providing children with first-hand experiences that deepen their understanding of the natural world. These opportunities encourage children to value the environment, understand their responsibility in creating a sustainable future, and develop respect and kindness for the world around them.

Ultimately, we strive to ensure that every child leaves Cranmere Primary School with secure scientific knowledge, strong investigative skills, confidence in asking questions, and a lasting curiosity about the world. We want our children to be equipped to embrace the opportunities and challenges of the future with enthusiasm, resilience and a lifelong passion for scientific discovery.