Science at Pear Tree Mead Academy

Pedagogical Approach

At Pear Tree Mead, we aim to give all children a strong understanding of the world around them while developing the knowledge, skills and curiosity to think and work scientifically.

Our science curriculum is carefully sequenced from Early Years to Year 6, ensuring that pupils revisit and build upon key ideas each year. This supports long-term understanding and helps children make meaningful connections across different areas of science.

We follow the National Curriculum for Science, with planning and progression supported by the Developing Experts scheme. This provides a consistent structure and ensures coverage of both substantive knowledge (what children know) and disciplinary knowledge (how children work scientifically).

Children learn through a range of enquiry types, including:

· Observing over time

· Identifying and classifying

· Pattern seeking

· Comparative and fair testing

· Using secondary sources of evidence

Teachers model scientific vocabulary, address misconceptions quickly, and adapt lessons to meet the needs of all learners. Regular assessments through observation, discussion and end-of-unit tests help teachers to identify progress and plan next steps effectively.

 

Practical Activities and Experiences

Science at Pear Tree Mead is hands-on, engaging, and full of discovery. Pupils regularly take part in investigations, discussions and explorations that encourage curiosity and deepen understanding.

Explorify sessions develop pupils’ questioning, reasoning and communication skills, supporting the growth of science capital across the school.

We make full use of our wonderful outdoor learning spaces — including a forest area, pond and large field — to explore science in real-life contexts. Whether investigating

habitats, studying plants, or observing seasonal changes, children experience science first-hand.

Each year, we celebrate British Science Week and hold a whole-school Science Day, where pupils work collaboratively on exciting investigations. We also work closely with Charles Rivers to enrich learning through workshops and expert-led sessions.

Our teaching is rooted in:

· Knowledge Organisers: Structured overviews of key concepts, vocabulary, and enquiry types for each unit, supporting both teaching and independent learning.

· Language Scripts: Pupils are taught to use scientific language to explain their thinking, write evaluations, draw conclusions and describe cause and effect.

· Interactive Learning: We use video clips, digital simulations and real-life footage to bring abstract concepts to life and support visual learners.

In the Early Years, science is taught through exploration and play, encouraging children to observe and ask questions about the world around them. As pupils move through Key Stages 1 and 2, their knowledge and enquiry skills develop in depth and complexity, preparing them for further scientific study.

 

Real-Life Connections

We want every child to see that science is everywhere and relevant to their own lives. Our curriculum helps children understand how scientific discoveries impact the modern world and inspires them to see science as a future career.

Each year, pupils learn about a significant scientist whose work links to their topics, helping them see how science is shaped by people from a range of backgrounds:

· Year 1: Robert Fitzroy – Meteorology

· Year 2: Rachel Carson – Conservation

· Year 3: Mary Anning – Fossils

· Year 4: David Attenborough – Environmental Science

· Year 5: Katherine Johnson – Space and Mathematics

· Year 6: Isaac Newton – Light and Forces

We actively encourage family involvement in science learning. Termly science competitions invite children to explore science at home and share their discoveries with school. Parents also receive links to local science clubs and high-quality online resources to support learning beyond the classroom.

By connecting classroom learning to the real world, we aim for every child to leave Pear Tree Mead with a secure understanding of key scientific ideas, the ability to think critically, and a lifelong curiosity about how and why things happen.