Science

Science is seen as the exciting study of material phenomena and at Pointers is based on observation and experiment.

We believe that, even at a very young age, children can be encouraged to present simple science through drawings, speech and writing and at a later stage though diagrams, tables and charts. All children are encouraged to ask questions, eg ‘how?’ ‘why?’, ‘what will happen if…?’ They will explore, investigate and acquire scientific knowledge, understanding and skills, and will also use their unique first-hand experience to provide information. We use our modern computers to collect, store, retrieve and present scientific information.

Science at Pointers can be broadly divided into two categories:

• To stimulate pupil’s curiosity in the world around them and encourage critical and creative thinking

• To create a foundation for Science at Secondary School.

To fulfil these aims, pupils need to acquire both factual knowledge and the skills of scientific enquiry. The areas of Scientific knowledge are taught in tandem with the skills of scientific enquiry. At Pointers we believe that good scientific enquiry should be built on children’s existing knowledge, interests and ideas; link to everyday contexts; and encourage discussion. Even in the early years, children are encouraged to question, explore and discover the world around them, and then discuss and represent what they find through simple drawings or speech and writing. At the later stages of their education children would be expected to identify questions that can be addressed scientifically, plan and carry out experiments, evaluate data; and recognise the limitations of their own and the work of others.