Welcome to Science at Longmoor!

Meet Dr Suzie Science, Longmoor's Scientist! 

Dr Suzie Science is there at the start of each lesson to help guide and teach the children at Longmoor all about the fascinating subject of Science.

What is Science? Here is our whole school definition written by children from year 6.
'Science is learning facts and understanding the natural world around us through experiments and observations'

Our Vision of Science

At Longmoor, the children are taught Science as part of our challenge curriculum, through a range of topics which are designed to stimulate a love of learning and develop independent learning skills through book-based units of work.  This ensures that standards in writing are being improved by using exciting literature through science. The units ensure that there is a huge focus on working scientifically as well as dealing with the specific science knowledge for a particular year group.

For example, in Year 4 the use of excellent quality text like 'The incredible book-eating boy' is central to the science unit dealing with the digestive system. In Year 3, the excellent book 'The street beneath my feet' is central to the science unit on 'rocks'.

The units help teachers to improve pupils' writing through science but still hold on to the statutory requirement for science and ensures that pupils' grammar, punctuation and vocabulary is being challenged. 

Through this curriculum, children are given the opportunity to develop their knowledge and we encourage our children to apply knowledge and develop their thinking skills which are essential to becoming a successful independent learner.  Children engage in practical skills such as handling equipment, measuring and testing as well as social skills of presenting and co-operation.

Children are encouraged to look for patterns in data, solve problems and analyse through hands on investigations.  Ultimately, our children are encouraged to make links and connections in the four key areas of scientific study; enquiry, physical processes, life processes and materials and their properties whilst developing curiosity, concern and objectivity.

Each year we have a Science Focus Week linked to the National Science Week. Here, there children have the opportunity to focus on additional science topic within the National curriculum. During this week, the children also have 'Wow Experiences' with external agencies coming into school and providing engaging assemblies and workshops to link with the additional science topics being taught that year. Within this week, we also hold a science fair. This is an excellent opportunity for parents to engage with their child's learning as they work together on a project at home and then bring in to present at the science fair. We open the fair after school so that parents and children can come together to experience all of the exhibits. To close Science Week, we hold a whole school assembly and celebrate all of the children's work, award prizes and 'set off' the exhibits. 
 
We use our sensory garden and nature walk in a variety of creative ways in order to bring the subject to life and allow children to experience science around them.  We also hold a number of after school clubs allowing all children to engage with the subject and extend their learning.

Science is all around us and visits out to the park, to fly a kite, play on the apparatus or look at the wildlife can encourage children to ask questions and investigate the world around them.

How Can I Help My Child At Home?