Science at Hamilton

At Hamilton School, our science curriculum is designed to be accessible, engaging, and meaningful for our pupils, supporting them in developing an understanding of the world around them through hands-on, sensory-rich experiences. Science provides opportunities for pupils to explore, investigate, and make connections, helping them develop curiosity, independence, and problem-solving skills.

Our curriculum is structured to ensure learning is tailored to each pupil’s level, following a pathway approach that allows teachers to select from a range of learning intentions. This ensures pupils progress at their own pace, whether they are engaging with sensory-based experiences, exploring simple scientific concepts, or developing deeper investigative skills.

• Explorers engage with concrete, sensory-based experiences, using materials such as water, textures, and light to develop early scientific curiosity.

• Discoverers explore cause-and-effect relationships and begin to sort, group, and compare objects and materials based on simple properties.

• Adventurers take their learning further by asking questions, making predictions, carrying out simple investigations, and drawing conclusions based on their observations.

Science topics cover a broad range of areas, including animals and their habitats, ecosystems, weather and seasons, materials, electricity, and forces. Pupils engage in activities such as:

  • Sensory investigations (e.g., feeling different animal textures, exploring weather through interactive experiences, or observing plant growth).
  • Hands-on experiments (e.g., simple circuits, food chains, or sorting living and non-living things).
  • Practical exploration of scientific concepts through outdoor learning, interactive resources, and real-world applications.

Our approach is still evolving, and we are continuously refining the curriculum to ensure it meets the diverse needs of our pupils. Through a structured, exploratory approach, we aim to equip pupils with the scientific knowledge and thinking skills they need to understand the world, develop independence, and engage meaningfully with their environment.