“Science helps you with everything that you do. Without Scientists, we wouldn’t know or have much of what we are lucky enough to have today. We understand that learning about Science gives us power and we need to use this in the right way to make the world a better place.  Our world relies on us all being Scientists”

(Breadsall Y5 Pupils 2024)

Science: To understand the elements of our world through curiosity and investigation

At Breadsall Hill Top, we believe in harnessing the power of curiosity in all children through the exploration of the world around them. Derby, as a hub of scientific innovation, provides the ideal environment for our children to become scientists, asking questions, thinking creatively and being passionate about investigating the unknown. We actively encourage all children to see themselves as scientists and provide them with opportunities to explore the work of a range of diverse experts in their field, including those from the local community. We open their minds to how science can provide them with the knowledge, skills and competencies to aspire to make a difference in this ever-changing world.

We care about:

• Children caring deeply about the beauty of the natural world, respecting all living things and developing a keen sense of enquiry
• Children seeing themselves and their peers as scientists, developing an inquisitive nature and an unapologetic need for answers and explanations
• Children establishing a secure knowledge of the content of the Breadsall curriculum and using this to think deeply and generate their own questions
• Children applying their knowledge of scientific concepts to think critically and debate their hypotheses and opinions
• Children developing a scientific vocabulary and applying it in a range of creative ways
• Children having an enriched curriculum with opportunities to engage with members of the local community through the lens of Scientific enquiry

As with all subjects at Breadsall Hill Top Primary School, the scientific content we aim for children to embed over the course of their time with us is explicitly mapped out through our knowledge-rich curriculum. It is powerful in that this knowledge allows children to think and care deeply and creatively about science. It is rich in that children develop an appreciation of the fundamental ideas of science and the achievements of great scientists, carefully selected from a range of cultures and backgrounds. It is also cumulative as the knowledge and skills develop progressively and build on content taught in previous year groups.

This curriculum ensures that knowledge is:

• Valued and specified
• Well-sequenced
• Taught to be remembered
• Knowledge is a pathway to a skill. Teach knowledge, and skills are the end result.

Our units explicitly cover the National Curriculum but are made more ambitious through our approach to planning and delivery. Teachers tailor their lessons to the needs of the children, ensuring that all children can access the learning and have opportunities to work and think like a Scientist.  Science is brought to life through practical and experiential learning, such as the use of the outdoor learning environment to explore aspects of Biology, and the dissection of a real heart. Links to other curriculum disciplines help to embed scientific concepts e.g. through the use of digital tools, application of Maths skills or utilizing their art skills to create 3D models.

Science is authentically embedded in the DNA of the Breadsall community and we are passionate about ensuring the sustainability of this for our children. We encourage dialogue with their families about opportunities for lifelong learning within Derby and beyond and ensure this through community events that we provide.

Finally, we aim to develop a relentless passion for Science, where all children believe that they can be successful and make a difference to the world around them.