At Langdale CE Primary School, we believe that every child begins life as an explorer—curious, inquisitive, and full of wonder. Our science curriculum is designed not simply to teach facts, but to nurture children’s innate curiosity and foster a lifelong love for the subject. We want our children to see science as a living, breathing presence in their world, not just something to be studied but something to be experienced. By embedding science within the rich context of our natural surroundings, we aim to inspire awe, provoke questions, and build a deep understanding of how our world works. The curriculum intent is to show children that science is everywhere—from the sky above them to the ground beneath their feet—and that their questions, however big or small, are the starting point for a lifelong love of learning. As the children grow in their understanding and confidence, we provide leadership opportunities for children to share their learning both with their peers and the wider community.

Our vision is brought to life through a dynamic and carefully structured approach to implementation. At Langdale, our Learning Beyond the Classroom ethos sits at the heart of our teaching, with staff empowered to use our unique setting to enrich and enliven scientific study. Lessons extend beyond the classroom walls into our gardens, local farms, riverbanks, and woodlands. Whether investigating the life cycle of sheep through hands-on experiences during lambing season or jogging an 8km route through a solar system art exhibition, children engage in learning that is memorable, meaningful, and anchored in real-world contexts. We build scientific knowledge progressively, from EYFS to Year 6, ensuring children revisit and build on prior learning while being presented with increasingly challenging opportunities to think, reason, and explore. Children are encouraged to ask questions and develop hypotheses, with working scientifically and experiential activities forming the backbone of their scientific journey. Staff understand the power of learning through doing, and our curriculum maximises these moments wherever possible. One way in which this is achieved is our annual presence at the Windermere Science Festival where Key Stage 2 children lead scientific enquiries (explored in their learning) and share their passion for science on a national platform.

The impact of this approach is evident in our learners. Our children are confident scientists who speak with enthusiasm about the subject. They understand the relevance of science in their daily lives and make connections between what they learn in the classroom and what they see in the world around them. Their scientific vocabulary, conceptual understanding, and investigative skills are consistently well-developed, and they demonstrate high levels of engagement and curiosity. By the time they leave Langdale, pupils are not only ready for the next stage in their education—they are excited by it. They see themselves as part of a wider scientific community, equipped with the curiosity, knowledge, and resilience to explore it further.

Knowledge Organisers for Summer 1 2025

British Science Week began with a wee investigation into dehydration. After exploring the link between water and well-being, they ordered images demonstrating 'very hydrated' all the way to 'severely dehydrated' before considering which professional fields may require this knowledge. You will be pleased to hear that the children used orange cordial and water to create the samples!

In the afternoon, the children stepped into space, exploring the role of planets, mass and gravitational pull. By using a parachute, they sent balls off into orbit before watching them slowly orbit a 'planet' and - eventually - collide.

Finally, with a touch of storytelling, the children had to work against the clock - using their learning of air resistance, surface area and gravity - to create parachutes to land a precious family back down to Earth safely.

The Windermere Science Festival 2024 was a huge success for Langdale Primary School. The children, parents and staff of the school hosted a wide range of science and STEAM-based activities throughout the weekend (from bushcraft to Micro:bit trails) to promote their love of science and how we take science from a classroom subject into a real-world experience.

Maple ventured up Lingmoor Fell to identify different species of plants and evidence of animals. We were keen to embody the motto of "leave nothing behind" and so observed what they could see in nature. We documented this by taking photos and rubs of the specimens. From grand oaks to white bracket fungi, lots was to be seen! Although we didn't observe any mammals (beyond the abundance of sheep!), we were able to find lots of evidence of deer and horses from droppings and hoof impressions.