Science at Glade Hill

Science at Glade Hill aims to promote awe and wonder, curiosity and excitement, and invites children to question, observe, listen, record and watch the world around them, thus helping them to connect to, and ‘make sense of the world and how it behaves’ (NASA). Through the introduction of ‘Big Questions’ at the beginning of units, children are immediately invited on the exploratory and enquiry-based journey of our science curriculum, which is channelled through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry, and physics, reflecting on their presence within our school community, our local area, our city and the world beyond. Each unit and lesson build upon prior learning supporting children to make connections, within and across their learning.

Science at Glade Hill Primary and Nursery aims to help build the foundations for thinking and working like a scientist, and this begins right at the start of children’s learning journey in EYFS. Children are invited to explore their surroundings and the natural world, developing curiosity and excitement through questioning and open-ended investigations. Using their senses, we aim to provide our EYFS children with plenty of opportunities to develop their knowledge and understanding of the world.

At Glade Hill, we recognise the importance that science has played in the world, and in the future. Our children are encouraged to be ‘golden citizens,’ by demonstrating an awareness of their own impact on the world; demonstrating an awareness of how people use science in their lives, discussing science topics in real-life contexts, such as how to keep ourselves safe and healthy, and outreach partnerships with charities such as ‘Leon’s Legacy’ and the ‘British Heart Foundation.’ 

At Glade Hill we recognise that learning is for life, and our science curriculum not only provides children with hands on practical experiences within school but teaches them to look beyond. Through our SPARKLE attributes, children are taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes, and uses of science, and are championed to consider how they can build upon these beyond the classroom, by exploring STEM careers and promoting diversity within this. We hope that through these experiences, the children at Glade Hill will see their scientific capabilities and will aspire to be our future scientists.