Welcome to the OPA Science Page. Here you will find information about Science at OPA including our subject pathway; detailing the content taught in each year group and the progression of science throughout a child’s time at OPA.  Science is taught as an independent lesson, however, it often links to our Doorways and Pathways curriculum.  We follow the National Curriculum programme of study, looking at all aspects of science,  including working scientifically, biology, chemistry, and physics, building up our knowledge each year.

A key part of our journey in science we encourage children to be curious and excited about Science. We aim to promote future careers involving science and work with Nifty Lifts who have sponsored our ’Scientist of the Week’ lab coats, to encourage children to view themselves as scientists at an early age. This means that every science lesson begins with a ‘hook’ to encourage children to questions and think scientifically. Every year we have a Science week, and include science activities within house day, when children get to explore and investigate areas of science outside their curriculum and experience exciting experiments! We are also fortunate enough to work closely with Shenley Brook End School, Hazeley Academy, and Denbigh School to ensure that by the time children move onto secondary school, they are excited by science, experience secondary-style science lessons so that they are ready to plan and write up their own investigations.

Science is the study of the world around us.

Our science curriculum is split up into 4 areas and each one has its own key concepts.

Working scientifically
Biology
Chemistry

Physics

As scientists we learn to:

Work scientifically - by asking and answering questions and learning the methods used by scientists

Biology is the part of science which studies living things

As biologists we learn to:

• Understand plants - by becoming familiar with different types of plants, their structure and reproduction
   
• Understand animals and humans - by becoming familiar with different types of animals, humans and the life processes they share.
   
• Investigate living things - by becoming familiar with a wider range of living things, including insects and understanding life processes
   
• Understand evolution and inheritance - by understanding that organisms come into existence, adapt, change and evolve and become extinct

Chemistry is the part of science which studies materials and their properties.

As chemists we learn to:

• Investigate materials - by becoming familiar with a range of materials, their properties, uses and how they may be altered or changed.

Physics is the part of science which studies how objects, forces and energy all interact.

As physicists we learn to:

• Understand movement, forces and magnets - by understanding what causes motion
   
• Understand the Earth’s movement in space - by understanding what causes seasonal changes and day and night
   
• Investigate light and seeing - by understanding how light and reflection affect sight
   
• Investigate sound and hearing - by understanding how sound is produced, how it travels and how it is heard
   
• Understanding electrical circuits - by understanding circuits and the role of different components in electrical appliances

Each year the children become more skilled in these key concepts, building upon their prior knowledge and understanding. Our intention for science is that when they leave in Year 6, our children are able to ask questions about the world around them, be able to investigate why things might happen and observe changes and explain their findings using their knowledge and scientific vocabulary. Through doing this, children will develop their curiosity and problem-solving skills.