Overview
At Willenhall Community Primary School scientific enquiry is put at the heart of science lessons so that knowledge is frequently taught within the context of an investigation. This hands-on approach to science education helps to engage the children and provide them with learning experiences that are more meaningful, making the understanding of scientific ideas easier to grasp. We have a designated science room where children can complete investigations and develop their skills in working scientifically. We also have a dedicated science garden where children can extend their learning through real world experiences
The Ogden Trust
Willenhall Community Primary School is the lead school in the Ogden Trust Partnership for Coventry East. Since 2022, the partnership has developed and events run throughout the year across our partnership schools:
- Ernesford Grange Primary School
- Stretton CE Primary School
- Pearl Hyde Primary School
- Ernesford Grange Academy
To date the partnership has run STEM clubs, Science Fairs, Workshops for both KS1 and KS2, STEM trips to Coventry University and a range of CPD for staff.
For further information please visit the Ogden Trust Website
www.OgdenTrust.com/school-partnerships
KS1
In KS1, children are given opportunities to investigate using simple equipment. They will begin to undertake simple tests and develop their observation skills. As well as these core scientific enquiry skills children are taught to identify and describe the basic structure of a variety of animals and plants and what they require for survival. When learning about animals and plants children will have the opportunity to explore habitats and make links to the real world. They will also explore materials and their properties and start to make judgements upon suitable materials to use.
Lower KS2
Scientific enquiry skills are built upon by getting children to start to think about planning their investigations. A more systematic approach to collecting information is taught as well as a wider variety of ways of presenting information. The importance of using evidence to support findings is also emphasised. Work on the understanding of plant and animal structure continues in biology. Physics areas are also introduced focussing on the fundamentals of forces, light, electricity and sound. Chemistry is advanced by looking at the properties of rocks and soils and investigating how materials can change between states.
Upper KS2
During Years 5 and 6 there is a much greater emphasis on children independently making decisions about scientific enquiry such that they should be able to plan comparative and fair tests for themselves. Children will use a wider range of scientific equipment and will begin to present data in more complex ways. Biological knowledge is furthered through looking at animal life cycles, the classicisation of living things, a detailed study of the circulatory system and an introduction to evolution and inheritance. Chemistry is progressed by looking at more complex properties of materials and exploring how changes can be reversible or irreversible. In physics children will learn more about forces, electricity and light. The topic of Earth and Space will also be introduced.