Science

The aim of Science at Eaton Square School is for children to develop knowledge and understanding of important scientific ideas, processes and skills. Children will be encouraged to observe, classify, question, plan, measure, and interpret data. They are encouraged to observe, predict and investigate.

Children naturally explore the world around them from a very early age. Topics are developed that relate to their interests and every day experiences so that curiosity is stimulated and pupils are motivated to understand and interpret the world around them.

Science is an important medium for developing and promoting other areas of the curriculum. Science stimulates language development by providing opportunities for oral and written responses. It is a motivator for practising and developing reading skills and encourages the purposeful use of mathematical skills and concepts. It promotes creativity and inventiveness and allows children to develop their independent thinking skills.

The Science Curriculum is taught by class teachers in the early years and by specialist teachers from Year Two upwards. One topic per term is taught in the early years and two topics per term from Year Two upwards.

With teacher support, pupils will learn to plan their own investigations in the Science Laboratory and then describe their observations and record the data using simple tables.

Key Stage Two pupils are encouraged to select suitable equipment to use for experiments with only limited teacher guidance. They are encouraged to recognise the need for fair tests and to decide what evidence should be collected. Pupils will learn to make a series of observations and measurements and learn to plot clear tables and graphs. From the patterns obtained, pupils are then encouraged to draw accurate conclusions.

In Year Seven and Eight pupils commence the 13+ Common Entrance Syllabus. The boys are given the opportunity to learn about a wide range of scientific subjects, taught separately as Biology, Chemistry and Physics. They have five lessons per week during which they will make full use of the laboratory facilities and take part in many practical activities. The children work towards the I.S.E.B. 13+ Common Entrance Examination taken in the Summer Term of Year Eight. Revision and examination techniques are taught during Autumn and Summer Terms.

Homework is set as appropriate to the age group and in accordance with the Homework Policy. The emphasis for all homework is on variety, which includes follow up work from classroom based activities, written work, questions, research and project work. Homework is set to reflect the teaching objectives and should be tackled with the minimum of adult intervention.

Assessment takes the form of teacher observation and informal testing. For children in Year Two upwards, there will be a topic test at the end of each half term and an examination at the end of the year.

In Key Stage Two and Key Stage Three the aim is to encourage a culture of pupil responsibility for self-assessment and monitoring of their own learning. Self-assessments are completed at the beginning and end of each topic whereby pupils can record prior knowledge and skills and those acquired during the topic. Evidence for this learning comes from written work, group work, oral contribution and the End of Topic Tests.

Pupils in Key Stage Two and Three will also regularly undertake practical investigations designed to improve their investigative skills. These may take the form of complete investigations or practical work designed to re-enforce particular strands of scientific enquiry.

In the Summer term, Year Three go to Hindleap Warren Outdoor Activity Centre, where they take part in a structured programme of scientific fieldwork. In addition to scientific visits and workshops, we would like parents to encourage their children to use scientific reference books, visit museums and libraries, and to watch Science programmes at home.

Science Curriculum Summary

Form Term Topic Outline
Foundation Stage
Transition Spring All about me
Toys
Summer Journeys and Holidays
Reception Autumn The Four Elements
Spring Materials (NC Unit 1C)
Minibeasts
Summer Growing (NC Unit 1B)
The Seaside
Key Stage One
Year One Autumn Ourselves
Light and Dark
Spring Pushes and Pulls
Sound and Hearing
Summer Plants and Animals
Variation
Year Two Autumn Health and Growth
Grouping and Changing Materials
Spring Forces and Friction
Using Electricity
Summer Key Stage 1 Revision
Rocks and Soil
Key Stage Two
Year Three Autumn Teeth and Diet
Magnets and Springs
Spring Characteristics of Materials
Light and Shadows
Summer Plant Growth
Skeletons and Muscles
Year Four Autumn Force of Friction
Keeping Warm
Spring Solids liquids and Separations
Circuits and Conductors
Summer Habitats and Food Chains
Life Cycles, Interdependence and Adaptation
Year Five Autumn CE Syllabus:-
The States of Matter
Sound
Spring Micro organisms and Health
Earth and Beyond
Summer Changing and Separating Materials
Forces
Year Six Autumn Forces
Light (NC unit 6F)
Circuits (NC Unit 6G)
Spring Reproduction and Sex Education
Food and Nutrition
Summer Cells to Systems 1
Cells to Systems 2
Key Stage Three
Year Seven Autumn Properties of Materials
Forces and Motion
Spring Ecology
Springs, Levers and Pressure
Summer Water, Solutions, Acids and Alkalis
Life Processes and Control
Year Eight Autumn Energy, Light and Sound
Metals and Reactivity
Spring Electricity and Magnetism
13+ CE Syllabus Revision
Summer 13+ CE Syllabus Revision
Science Projects and debates
Subjects

English
Drama
Mathematics
Science
Information Technology
French
Latin
History
Geography
Religious Studies
Personal, Social & Health Education
Art, Design and Technology
Music
Physical Education

ISC Inspection Report
EATON SQUARE SCHOOL 79 ECCLESTON SQUARE LONDON SW1V 1PP
TEL +44 (0)20 7931 9469 / FAX +44(0)20 7828 0164 / EMAIL admissions@eatonsquareschool.com

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