At Hazelwood Schools, we believe that Science should enable children to discover and explore the world around them through real, relevant, immersive and purposeful experiences.

Science should be knowledge-rich, engaging and practical, enabling children to gain new knowledge and apply knowledge learned to their first-hand experiences.

Children have regular opportunities to develop their working scientifically skills and to apply knowledge taught through the five types of enquiry across the year: observing over time, pattern seeking, research, fair and comparative testing and classifying.

The aims of our Science curriculum are:

• To provide real, relevant, immersive and purposeful opportunities for children to develop a secure understanding of the world around them.
• To provide opportunities for children to secure their knowledge and understanding of the scientific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics.
• To enable children to successfully develop and refine their working scientifically skills through a range of enquiry types. 
• To revisit, build on and make connections between prior and new learning.
• To support children in communicating their understanding effectively and coherently using relevant scientific vocabulary.
• To inspire and engage children with the subject through enrichment opportunities, projects, themed days and external visits.

Hazelwood’s Principles of Science

Science teaching and learning is good when it:

• Is Real and Relevant - Children leading investigations and exploring big questions that link to real life situations where possible.
• Is Immersive and Purposeful – Fostering curiosity about the world, having fun and being engaged, utilising the outdoor area and locality where possible.
• Prioritises Practical – Enriching scientific knowledge by learning first-hand through experiments and experiences.
• Is Thought-provoking - Deepening understanding through discussions about scientific concepts with the use of thought-provoking stimuli.
• Enables children to “Be Scientific” – Children to work both collaboratively and independently to develop working scientifically skills as well as building a secure understanding of key scientific vocabulary to communicate ideas confidently.

 

We are delighted to announce that Hazelwood has been awarded the Primary Science Quality Mark (PSQM) Gilt Award.

The PSQM celebrates schools commitment to excellence in science leadership, teaching and learning. 

PSQM is a comprehensive evidence-based professional development programme that effectively develops science leadership, ensuring teachers have the knowledge, capability and support they need to transform science education and shape future generations. 

The Primary Science Quality Mark is led by the University of Hertfordshire.

Helen Sizer, PSQM Co-Director said: “By enabling effective science leadership, PSQM is powering the potential of all children to see the relevance and importance of science in their lives, now and in the future.  Schools that have achieved a Primary Science Quality Mark have demonstrated a significant commitment to science leadership, teaching and learning and the profile and quality of science in each accredited school is very high. Science subject leaders, their colleagues, headteachers, children, parents and governors should be very proud.”

Huge thank you to Mrs Barker and Mrs Pearson for their hard work in ensuring that the science curriculum and quality of teaching and learning at Hazelwood is at such a high standard!

 

STEM Fare 2024

We would like to say a huge well done to all the children who created a science project for our STEM Fair. There were lots of great entries and it was extremely tricky to choose winners! We had projects ranging from water resistance experiments in Reception, Biodomes in year 2, Lungs in year 3, lighting up solar systems in year 5 to fossils in year 6! The children loved seeing the variety of science topics displayed around the hall and then managed to watch some fantastic science experiments too. I want to also say a huge well done to the year 5 and 6 science ambassadors who not only carried out experiments for the children throughout the day but were also great judges for the competition.

Thank you to Mrs Miah and Mrs Pearson for organising the event!

For lots of photos, please click here: STEM Fair photos