“The important thing is to never stop questioning.” – Albert Einstein

Science at Hobbayne

In Science, we aim to inspire and foster children’s natural curiosity and interest in the world around them. At Hobbayne, we believe that delivering a high quality science education provides a foundation for understanding the world around us. This is achieved by developing children’s scientific knowledge, encouraging them to question and involving them in practical and teacher led investigations. Children are motivated to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes. We use cross curricular skills to record results and draw upon them to reach scientific concepts and skills, which together will encourage them to develop an enquiring mind and a scientific approach to problem solving. 

The teachers at Hobbayne create a positive attitude to science learning within their classrooms and reinforce an expectation that all children are capable of achieving high standards in science. Our whole school approach to the teaching and learning of science involves the following:

Science will be taught in planned and arranged by the class teacher, to have a project-based approach. This is a strategy to enable the achievement of a greater depth of knowledge and help children link science to the wider world.

Through our planning, we involve problem solving opportunities that allow children to find out for themselves. Children are encouraged to ask their very own questions and be given opportunities to use their scientific skills and research to discover the answers. This curiosity is celebrated within the classroom. Planning involves thought-provoking and engaging lessons, often involving a wide range of resources to aid understanding of conceptual knowledge. Teachers use precise questioning in class to assess children regularly and to identify those children with gaps in their learning, so that all children progress.

We build upon the learning and skill development of the previous years. As the children’s knowledge and understanding increases, and they become more proficient in selecting and using scientific equipment along with collating and interpreting results, they become increasingly confident in their growing ability to come to their own conclusions based on the evidence in front of them.

Skills that require children to work scientifically are embedded into lessons to ensure that they are being developed throughout the children’s personal learning journey. New vocabulary and challenging concepts are also introduced through direct teaching. This is developed through the years, in-keeping with the projects that we teach. Teachers have a sound knowledge of the science curriculum and demonstrate how to use scientific equipment. Teachers often find opportunities to develop children’s understanding of their surroundings by accessing outdoor learning and workshops with experts. 

Year 5 and 6 children have the opportunity to take part in an internal Science Fair which is led by their respective class teachers every year. The children are able to work in small groups or on their own to plan, create and present investigations/projects to staff over a period of time. Then parents are invited in on designated afternoon to see and take part in the projects. During this time a small number of children are selected to take their investigations to the local Ealing Science Fair held at The Ellen Wilkinson School. 

We also have many inspiring STEM ambassadors who come in and talk to our children about their possible future careers. Many of them are Hobbayne parents/carers which only adds to the excitement children feel when hearing about their current projects.

Science Week at Hobbayne

At Hobbayne we also promote science through trips, workshops and guest speakers. Each year the whole school comes together to celebrate the subject during Science Week, where children’s enthusiasm will be further stimulated through fun, practical and hands on Science activities. This year's Science week will be based on the theme 'Growth'.