At Eastling we provide a high-quality science education by developing a sense of excitement and curiosity about the natural world.

We encourage pupils to take on the role of young scientists by asking questions and working scientifically to answer them themselves. We equip all children with the essential knowledge, methods and processes to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring and why.

Our aims:

• To develop pupils’ enjoyment and interest in science.
• To develop pupils’ understanding of key scientific concepts and scientific skills.
• To ensure that children understand the relevance of what it is they are learning.

Early Years

Science is part of the ‘Understanding the World’ area of learning in the EYFS. Children are encouraged to explore and investigate, drawing on their own personal experiences and observing closely using their senses.

EYFS Nature Walk

Acorn class go on a weekly nature walk to the woods in Eastling. They use this opportunity to: 

• Observe and investigate features of living things, objects and events.
• Learn about the features of their own immediate environment and how environments might vary from one another.
• Look closely at similarities, differences, patterns and change in the environment.
• Ask questions about why things happen.

KS1

Children in Key Stage One explore science through the following topics:

• Plants
• Animals including humans
• Everyday materials
• Seasonal change
• Living things and their habitats

During years 1 and 2 pupils observe, explore and ask scientific questions about animals, plants, materials and events. They carry out simple experiments using equipment to collect evidence to explain their ideas. They communicate these using technical vocabulary, drawings, charts and tables.

LKS2

Children in lower Key Stage 2 explore science through the following topics:

• Plants
• Animals including humans
• Electricity
• Forces and magnets
• Rocks
• Light
• States of matter
• Sound
• Living things and their habitats

During years 3 and 4 pupils ask relevant questions and carry out simple practical enquires, comparative and fair tests to draw conclusions. They make systematic and careful observations and take accurate measurements to gather data using a range of equipment. These findings are recorded using scientific language, drawings, labelled diagrams, keys, bar charts and tables. Children use their results to make predictions, suggest improvements and raise further scientific questions.

UKS2

Children in upper Key Stage 2 explore science through the following topics:

• Animals including humans
• Electricity
• Evolution and inheritance
• Properties and changes of materials
• Forces
• Earth and space
• Living things and their habitats

During years 5 and 6 pupils plan and carry out different types of scientific enquiries to answer questions. Take measurements using a range of scientific equipment with accuracy and precision. They record their data using scientific diagrams and labels, classification keys, table, scatter graphs, bar and line graphs. These are used to make predictions to set up further tests.

Outdoor Learning

At Eastling primary school we are lucky enough to be surrounded by beautiful countryside that lends itself perfectly to the teaching of science. From the tiny tadpoles that swim in our pond to the trees that have stood tall in our grounds for years. Children at our school reap the benefits of outdoor learning by constantly exploring, investigating and experimenting through a practical and hands-on approach to science.   

Children throughout the school have the opportunity to take part in scientific investigations in the locality, participate in ‘Science Week’ activities, experience science trips and take part in ‘Outdoor Learning Days’ throughout the year (come rain or shine)!