The Science staff make learning stimulating, meaningful and relevant to our world. We encourage children to be curious, developing their questioning skills, perseverance, co-operation and open -mindedness, so thoughtful challenging lessons are planned for all. Quality resources are used to enhance their learning experience and practical activities are an integral part of the teaching and learning experience.
The Science department is housed in 3 large, modern, fully equipped science laboratories, all with interactive LCD screens. Pupils from Year 4 use these facilities and are taught by specialist science teachers. The department follows the National Curriculum and Common Entrance Syllabus to guide our planning, ensuring the progression of knowledge, understanding and practical skills. We aim to make lessons inspiring so that our own excitement and passion of science is communicated to the pupils. Hopefully this stays with them so that they leave Beaudesert with a lasting interest in science.
The curriculum is further enriched with pupils participating in Ecological Studies with our Ecologist, using our extensive school grounds and Minchinhampton Common, a Site of Special Scientific Interest on our doorstep. We also organize a range of trips and visitors, take part in interschool competitions and celebrate the annual British Science week with special activities.
We encourage reading about science, discussions at home (especially when a science event receives media coverage), and the use of the internet with supervision. There are so many good websites available but it is important children know how to ‘search’ effectively. By entering the topic into a search engine followed by “KS2’ for years 3 to 5, and ‘KS3’ for years 6 to 8, relevant websites should be found more easily.
The following web addresses are just a small example of the useful, educational and fun material available.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/terrificscientific
The BBC websites where many topics are covered with games and quizzes
www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/
The website for the Science Museum in London. This site includes information on the museum’s research and educational resources, its different collections and galleries, the current exhibitions and events, as well as links to other museums and related places to visit on the web.
www.planet-science.com/
Designed to stimulate the imagination about science and technology. This site has an under 11 years section and an over 11 years section.
www.nasa.gov/
The NASA homepage for space science enthusiasts.
www.gloucestershirewildlifetrust.co.uk/
The county’s leading conservation charity dedicated to wildlife.
