Building curious, knowledgeable and confident scientists
At North Mead, Science combines secure scientific knowledge with the disciplinary knowledge pupils need to ask questions, investigate, analyse evidence and explain the world around them.
Science at North Mead
- Know — build secure scientific concepts and vocabulary.
- Investigate — ask questions, observe, measure, classify, test and collect data.
- Explain — use evidence and scientific knowledge to draw conclusions and communicate clearly.
What children learn
| Phase | What children learn |
| EYFS | Observe, explore, compare, notice change, investigate materials, care for living things and talk about weather and seasons. |
| KS1 | Plants, animals including humans, everyday materials, habitats and seasonal change, alongside simple observation, classification and comparison. |
| Lower KS2 | Plants and animals in greater depth, rocks, light, forces and magnets, states of matter, sound and electricity, with more systematic enquiry. |
| Upper KS2 | Living things, properties and changes of materials, Earth and space, forces, evolution and inheritance, light and electricity, with increasing independence in variables, evidence and evaluation. |
Working scientifically
Working scientifically is embedded throughout units. Children experience observing over time, pattern seeking, identifying and classifying, comparative and fair testing, and research using secondary sources.
Evidence and explanation
Pupils are taught to distinguish observation from explanation and to connect evidence + scientific knowledge = explanation. Older pupils consider variables, reliability, anomalies and the limitations of evidence.
Science beyond the classroom
School grounds, local environments, practical investigations, visits, workshops, scientists and Fantastic Fifty experiences make Science real and memorable. Children also encounter diverse scientists and scientific careers.
Related North Mead Pages
- Our Curriculum
- Sustainability