This enables me to see the excitement the subject brings in our youngest children all the way through the age phases to those that leave us to move on to their secondary school journey, equipped to develop further as scientists.

The fact that the name ‘Science’ comes from Latin origins and literally means ‘knowledge’ speaks volumes: Knowledge really is power! With this in mind, we have developed a curriculum that enables acquisition of knowledge from the very beginning of childhood and builds logically, using regular retrieval of facts that become more abstract and use of more sophisticated scientific vocabulary alongside a growing enquiry skillset. Science is the official name for something that we, as humans, have an innate ability to do: wonder, ask questions, theorise, observe, test things out and discover. This comes from our curiosity as babies and young children and does not stop there!

The science curriculum recognises the early foundations of the way we begin to understand the world and builds on to develop critical thinking about concepts relating to ourselves and the world around us. Links with other curriculum subjects, prior knowledge in science to build upon and keeping future learning in mind allow us to really see how each and every person is becoming a more proficient scientist from the very beginning and provides the opportunities needed to master the areas of the science curriculum. As children mature, they seem able to observe more carefully and hypothesise, developing enquiry skills alongside regularly retrieving knowledge in order to commit it to their long-term memory.

Science really is rooted in lifelong learning; it allows children to realise the value of science in that it is part of everything we are, everything we see, everything we own and everything we do. It allows children to smash stereotypes, continue to ask questions and, as learners, develop the ability and willingness to take risks, make mistakes and learn from them. For this reason, science is more than just a subject – it is a discipline which teaches hidden lessons about characteristics of effective learning. It teaches resilience, reciprocity, resourcefulness and reflectiveness. It sparks curiosity and gives all children a voice. This is something, as a school, that we are incredibly proud of.