In the early experience of the world children develop ideas which enable them to make sense of things that happen around them. These informal ideas are later brought to the classroom. At Treetops our aim is to give these ideas more explanatory power through an investigative approach to science. We feel that it is important that we take a child’s idea seriously so as to ensure that any change of development of these ideas make sense and in this way become “owned” by the child. The teacher is seen as an “enabler” to raise questions, build appropriate challenges and experiences and offer new ways of thinking.
Science, at all levels, is seen as a way of thinking and working rather than purely an acquisition of a body of knowledge. Science is essentially practical, a way of finding out about the world around us, by first hand exploration, in and out of doors.
At Treetops in the primary part of our school we follow a cross-curricular approach to science with topic work and projects playing a major role. Teachers attempt to link science with development of language, mathematical competence and with other practical and academic subjects.
As the children move into the senior part of the school there is less emphasis on a topic approach and a greater element of specialist subject teaching. However, the cross-curricular element is still emphasised and adhered to.
Click on the links below to check out the curriculum for respective key stages:
Science KS 1 & 2
Science KS 3 & 4