Science

Why does science matter? Why should every girl see herself as a scientist?

At Sikh Heritage Girls School, we believe that science is not just a subject—it is a way of thinking, questioning, and understanding the world. Science fuels curiosity, empowers young minds to solve real-world problems, and builds the foundations for future careers in medicine, engineering, technology, environmental science, and beyond. Research shows that hands-on, investigative science boosts critical thinking, problem-solving, and resilience (Harlen, 2018). By fostering scientific curiosity from an early age, we prepare our pupils to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Pre-teaching and Scaffolding for Success:

  • We provide pre-teaching sessions for children who need additional support with key scientific concepts, vocabulary, or investigative skills.

  • Structured scaffolding, such as sentence stems, guided experiments, and peer mentoring, ensures all pupils can access learning.

  • Misconceptions are identified early and addressed through targeted interventions.

Learning Outside the Classroom:

  • Outdoor learning is a key strength of our science curriculum. We believe that science is best understood in real-world contexts, so we make use of our outdoor spaces, local parks, and nature reserves.

  • Pupils explore plant life cycles in our school gardens, investigate habitats through field studies, and experience forces and materials in action through hands-on outdoor activities.

  • Educational visits to universities, science labs, conservation sites, technology hubs, and engineering workshops provide enriching, real-life learning experiences.

Cross-curricular connections:

  • Science is meaningfully linked with maths, technology, and even Punjabi, encouraging deeper understanding and application of knowledge.

  • Pupils explore the history of scientific discoveries and their impact on society.

Our Implementation: A Journey of Discovery

We deliver science in an engaging and rigorous way, ensuring that every lesson builds on prior knowledge and develops scientific skills systematically. Our approach includes:

Enquiry-based learning:

  • Lessons are structured around scientific investigations, encouraging pupils to ask questions, form hypotheses, and test ideas.

  • Pupils are encouraged to think critically, predict outcomes, and evaluate their findings.

High-quality vocabulary development:

  • We embed tier 2 and 3 vocabulary to develop scientific oracy and confidence in explaining concepts.

  • Children engage in structured discussions and debates about scientific issues.

Practical, hands-on experiences:

  • Pupils work with real materials, conduct experiments, and use the latest technology to bring science to life.

  • Our well-equipped learning spaces ensure that pupils can engage in a wide range of scientific investigations safely and effectively.

Our Intent: Science with Purpose and Passion

Our science curriculum is designed to spark wonder and curiosity in every child. Rooted in the National Curriculum and supported by White Rose Science and the Cornerstones Curriculum, we ensure that scientific knowledge and skills progress in a carefully structured way.

We want our pupils to:

  • Develop a deep understanding of scientific concepts through hands-on, enquiry-based learning.

  • Think and speak like scientists, using high levels of oracy to explain, justify, and question.

  • Make meaningful connections between science and their daily lives, fostering a lifelong appreciation of the subject.

  • Understand the impact of science on the world, including sustainability, innovation, and ethics.

  • Engage with the natural world through outdoor learning, making science real, tangible, and exciting.

  • See themselves as future engineers, climate scientists, biomedical researchers, astronauts, AI specialists, architects, neuroscientists, marine biologists, forensic scientists, and more.

SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social & Cultural) Development through Science:

  • Spiritual: Pupils develop a sense of awe and wonder about the natural world, reflecting on the beauty and complexity of life.

  • Moral: Science lessons encourage discussions about ethical issues such as sustainability, conservation, and the use of technology.

  • Social: Pupils develop teamwork and collaboration skills through group investigations and problem-solving tasks.

  • Cultural: We celebrate the contributions of scientists from diverse backgrounds, including Sikh scientists and pioneers in the field.

Our Impact: The Scientists of Tomorrow

By the time our pupils leave Sikh Heritage Girls School, they will:

  • Be confident in applying scientific methods, questioning the world around them, and solving problems with logic and creativity.

  • Have developed strong scientific knowledge and skills, ready for secondary education and beyond.

  • Be articulate, curious, and engaged learners who see the relevance of science in their own lives and the wider world.

  • Understand that science is for everyone, seeing themselves as future doctors, engineers, astrophysicists, tech entrepreneurs, vaccine developers, robotics designers, geologists, space explorers, and environmental activists.

At Sikh Heritage Girls School, we don’t just teach science—we nurture a lifelong passion for discovery, enquiry, and progress.