Science

Science is an academic discipline where observation of phenomena around a person leads them to evaluate their experience and form an interpretation that explains the phenomenon. Scientists then go on to ask further questions: ‘how did it happen’, ‘what happened’, ’when did it happen’ and ‘why did it happen’? Further evidence is recorded that answers these questions and from them scientists create models that explain the world around and within.

It is this natural curiosity of everyone, but especially of children that I am trying to develop and stimulate in Science classes. Science is taught throughout the school, but it takes on a clearer identity in a child’s mind as they move up through it. By the time a child reaches Year 5 they have received a wealth of teaching across the three Science disciplines, but now Science becomes a subject that is taught by a specialist teacher. Years 5 and 6 are not only important, preparatory years initially for 11+ Common Entrance, but are foundational for Years 7 and 8. These last two years of the senior school see each child learning the three main, individual Science subjects of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Although practical work is performed throughout the school, it is here in these last two years of a child’s time at Daneshill School that a greater emphasis is placed upon learning through experimentation.