Science Statement of INTENT

Why do we teach this? Why do we teach it in the way we do?

At Spire Nursery and Infant School, we recognise the importance of science in every aspect of daily life. As one of the core subjects taught in primary schools, we give the teaching and learning of science the prominence it requires.

The scientific area of learning is concerned with increasing pupils’ knowledge and understanding of our world, and with developing skills associated with science as a process of enquiry. It will develop the natural curiosity of the child, encourage respect for living organisms and the physical environment and provide opportunities for critical evaluation of evidence.

We endeavour to ensure that 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. We consider and use ‘Science Capital’ as a conceptual tool to help develop our pupils’ aspirations and involvement in science. Moreover, we aim to prepare our pupils for life in an increasingly scientific and technological world.

We intend learning in science to be through systematic investigations of aspects of their lives that rely mainly on first hand experiences, leading to them being equipped to answer scientific questions about the world around them.

At Spire, our aim is to implement this INTENT through quality first Teaching & Learning.

• Understand the world
• Notice detailed features in the environment
• Comment on what they find in the natural environment
• Show care & concern for living things
• Talk about changes (growth, decay, changes over time)

• Comment and ask questions about the natural world
• Discuss things they've observed such as plants, animals, natural & found objects
• Show care for living things and the environment
• Look at similarities and differences in relation to objects, materials and living things
• Discuss patterns and change and why they may occur.

• Ask questions, perform simple tests, observe, interpret observations and data
• Identify plants and flowers
• Observe differences in evergreen and deciduous trees
• Explore the structure of plants and flowers
• Identify, describe and classify common animals and fish
• Talk about the senses
• Label basic parts of the body
• Identify materials, describe their properties, compare and group them.
• Name the four seasons and the weather associated with them
• Explore day length

• Ask simple questions
• Perform simple tests
• Identify and classify into different groups
• Use observations & ideas to suggest answers to questions
• Gather and record data to help answer questions

• Identify animals that are carnivore or herbivore
• Life cycles (chicks/frogs)
• Find out & describe basic needs for survival (water, food, air)
• Describe importance for humans of exercise, balanced diet and hygiene

• Explore and compare living things
• Identify different habitats 
• Identify and name plants and animals in their habitats (inc micro habitat)
• Describe how animals obtain their food from plants and other animals (on land, in sea)

• Observe and describe how seeds and bulbs grow into mature plants
• Find out and describe what plants need to grow and stay healthy

• Identify and compare the suitability of different materials for a particular use
• Find out about how the shape of solid objects can be changed