Science


At Mile Oak, we provide children with a range of exciting, engaging and thought-provoking learning experiences which enable them to develop their scientific skills.

We aim to harness children's innate curiosity and enthusiasm for Science. We will provide them with fun, practical and meaningful lessons where every child is challenged and supported to reach their full potential. We want children to Think Big which includes them generating their own questions and desiging, developing and improving investigations with which to answer them.

We want children to appreciate the value of Science in the wider world and the potential it offers for the future.

If you would like to do some fun and educational Science experiments with any of your children, please click here.

 

Principles of Science

Science is fun

  • All children are engaged in their Scientific learning.
  • Investigations are practical wherever possible.

Children are curious

  • Children's questions drive learning.
  • Children design, develop and improve investigations in order to answer questions.
  • Frequently, "the room falls silent".

Science is important

  • Links are made to how Science is used in the wider world.
  • Thought is given to how Science can shape and improve our world in the future.
  • We engage families to raise the profile of Science.

We are Skilful Scientists

  • Children's scientific skills are developed through engaging investigations.

Science Across the School

See below for overviews of the Science taught in each Year group. 

Below is an overview of the key topics and vocabulary covered in EYFS  at Mile Oak.

 

Year group Topics Covered Tier 2 Vocabulary

Reception

People & Communities

  • Showing interest in the lives of familiar people
  • What makes us unique and our similarities and differences to others

The World

  • Commenting and asking questions about aspects of their familiar world 
  • Talking about things they have observed such as plants, animals, natural and found objects
  • Talking about why things happen and how things work 
  • Developing an understanding of growth, decay and changes over time
  • Showing care and concern for living things and the environment. 
  • Looking closely at similarities, differences, patterns and change

Technology

  • Knowing how to operate simple equipment  
  • Showing an interest in technological toys or real objects

question

investigate

change

Below is an overview of the key topics and vocabulary covered in KS1 at Mile Oak. 

 

Year group Topics Covered Tier 2 Vocabulary
Year 1

Animals, including humans

  • Identifying common animals
  • Describing and comparing  structures of common animals
  • Parts of the human body

Plants

  • Identifying and naming plants
  • Identifying structures of plants

Everyday materials

Seasonal changes

test

prove

equipment

Year 2

Living things and their habitats

  • Animals, including humans
  • Offspring
  • Basic needs of humans and animals for survival
  • Keeping healthy

Plants

  • Investigating how seeds and bulbs grow
  • Identifying what plants need to stay healthy

Uses of everyday materials

observe

predict

compare

results

enquiry

invention

Below is an overview of the key topics and vocabulary covered in KS2 at Mile Oak.

 

Year group Topics Covered Tier 2 Vocabulary
Year 3

Animals, including humans

  • Diet and nutrition
  • Skeletons and muscles

Plants

  • Parts of plants
  • What plants need to survive
  • The lifecycle of flowering plants

Rocks

Light

Forces and magnets

investigation

similarities & differences

properties

function

structure

Year 4

Living things and their habitats

  • Grouping living things in a variety of ways
  • Environmental changes and their impact

Animals, including humans

  • The human digestive system
  • Teeth
  • Food chains

States of matter

Sound

Electricity

data

present

evidence

explanation

environment

Year 5

Living things and their habitats

  • Differences in the life cycles of mammals, amphibians, insects and birds
  • The life process of reproduction in some plants and animals

Animals, including humans

  • Changes in humans as they develop to old age

Properties and changes of materials

Earth and space

Forces

evaluate & improve

characteristics

conclusion

design

resistance

substance

reaction

Year 6

Living things and their habitats

  • Classification of microorganisms, plants and animals

Animals, including humans-

  • The human circulatory system
  • How to keep bodies healthy

Evolution and inheritance

Light

Electricity

conditions

variables

supports/reinforces

classification

scientific ideas

chemical

Science Ambassadors Visit PACA!

Click here for more information.

Queries

The school's Science Leader is Mr Harris. 

If you have any questions about the school's Science curriculum, contact your child's class teacher or Mr Harris via the school office.