We were delighted to be awarded the PSQM Gilt award for science teaching across our school.

The Primary Science Quality Mark is led by the University of Hertfordshire, School of Education in collaboration with the Primary Science Teaching Trust.

Jane Turner, PSQM National Director said: “Gaining a Primary Science Quality Award is a significant achievement for a school. The profile and quality of science teaching and learning in each awarded school is very high. Children are engaging with great science both in and outside the classroom, developing positive attitudes towards science as well as secure scientific understanding and skills. Science subject leaders, their colleagues, head teachers, children, parents and governors should be very proud.”

ce is certainly being fostered in the children at Smithdown Primary and you should all be incredibly proud of the impact your whole school actions have had on every child’s learning journey”

“Children are leading learning, engaging in hands on practical enquiry and showing curiosity and excitement in all that they do..”       

“The outdoor environment is used as a resource to enrich learning”

“The school is so fortunate to have such dedicated and
committed staff who are prepared to go above and beyond for the
children”

“You should all feel very proud of what has been achieved and the ethos to learning that has been created. I
have no doubt that there is a tangible buzz of science excitement and curiosity
around school and that children are certainly well supported to be the scientists of
the future.

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

Intent

Science teaches an understanding of natural phenomena. It aims to stimulate a child’s curiosity in finding out why things happen in the way they do. At Smithdown Primary School, we follow the National Curriculum and we aim to develop a lively interest in science; encouraging children to ask “Why?” and “How?”  We strive to develop children’s curiosity through child led enquiry; developing a range of skills which will enable them to work scientifically in a range of ways.  Through this we hope to encourage a scientific approach to problem solving and an understanding of the world around them.

Smithdown Primary School Whole School Yearly Overview 2024-2025

Science in Y1 and Y2

Science in Y3 and Y4

Science in Y5 and Y6

We value the importance of developing inquisitive young minds by giving our children a range of experiences working scientifically. we endeavour to provide our pupils with a range of opportunities to work scientifically- starting in EYFS. Please click on the links below to see how we build on prior learning to ensure progression in working scientifically. .

Progression in working scientifically at Smithdown  

We are proud to be members of the Science Association; adapting and adopting key policies and documentation.  The following documents are useful to see how we further break down the progression in our science curriculum.

ASE PLAN documents – Working scientifically skills in years 1 and 2

ASE PLAN documents – Working scientifically skills in years 3 and 4

ASE PLAN documents – Working scientifically skills in years 5 and 6

In addition to this, we follow the ASE PLAN documents for progression in knowledge.

Please click here to see our knowledge progression from y1-y6

chatter icon

Science Chatter

chatter icon

We have been looking at signs of spring and have been learning the different parts of the daffodils.

28-03-2025
6
chatter icon

Science Investigation completed

28-03-2025

Investigation: How do different types of exercise affect our heart rate?
Activity completed. Results recorded. Now it’s time to interpret and devise a conclusion.

1
chatter icon

2GH Martin Mere

27-03-2025

We have had a lovely day at Martin Mere today.
we helped Ava find out which way she had to migrate, went on a treasure hunt, explored the wetlands and enjoyed the play area too!

28
chatter icon

Science investigations planned and carried out

27-03-2025

We planned and carried out our own investigations in groups today about the effects of exercise on our heart beats.

3
chatter icon

Here we are finding the baby spring animals to match to their mothers. We learnt new animal names and discussed the animal features. 🐥 🐴 🐷 🐑 🐄

24-03-2025
2
chatter icon

Ruth Wakefield – science week

19-03-2025

For science week, we researched Ruth Wakefield. We learnt all about the temperatures needed and the variables that she changed. We then had a lesson in cookie making with our wonderful cook Monica and decorated the cookies with her face.

40
chatter icon

Blue Planet 2TD

19-03-2025

A wonderful science filled day at Blue Planet

6
chatter icon

Light and Reflection

18-03-2025

Today, we investigated which objects were good reflectors of light and which objects weren’t good reflectors of light. We discovered that objects with shiny, smooth surfaces were better at reflecting light than objects with dull, rough surfaces.

35
chatter icon

Science week

18-03-2025

Last week we had a wonderful time with our biscuit investigation. Our question to investigate ‘Does the thickness of a biscuit affect it’s breaking dunk time?’

4
chatter icon

Science week

14-03-2025

To celebrate science week, reception read The Gingerbread Man and talked about what might happen if the gingerbread man fell into the water. We decided to see what would happen if we dunked biscuits into milk, oil and water.

41
chatter icon

Science Week: Biscuit Investigation

13-03-2025

Year 6 investigated how long it took a range of biscuits to dissolve in warm liquid and presented findings using graph software.

5
chatter icon

Creating craters

12-03-2025

We have planned out our experiments in order to see how we can measure craters and what affects the result. We had a create time changing variables and recording our average in order to make it a fair test.

7
chatter icon

A new scientist to learn about for Y6

12-03-2025

As part of our Science Week work, Year 6 learnt about Ibn Al-Haytham, the man credited with inventing the pinhole camera. As our Lowry portraits were so good, we couldn’t resist applying our artistic skills to this wonderful scientist too.

4
chatter icon

Y3 Sustainability Game

12-03-2025

This morning we have been supporting Laura from Metal  with a new card game all about sustainability. We were lucky enough to be the first school to trial the game and learned a lot about symbols and ways to upcylce and compost. Thank you Laura!

7
chatter icon

Y3 Light & Shadows

12-03-2025

Both Y3 classes took to the playground to explore shadows in real action. We drew around each others shadows with chalk. We observed that our shadows are attached to us!

5
chatter icon

Y4 Food Chains

12-03-2025


Y4 have been busy exploring food chains in the environment. They have learned about the words consumer, producer and predator whilst recapping the process of photosynthesis.

6
chatter icon

Y3 Sustainability Project with Metal

12-03-2025

Y3 have been busy upcycling their fashion items ready for their fashion show for parents. We have learned all about recycling and sustainability over the last few weeks which has inspired us to carry on out of school. Thank you metal!

8
chatter icon

Y3 Dunking Biscuits ~ Science Week

12-03-2025

This afternoon, for British Science Week 2025, 3KMc investigated which biscuit was the best dunker. We were so shocked that the strongest biscuit was a rich tea! We thought bourbons would be the strongest as they were thicker. The rich tea dunked over 50 times without breaking!!

6
chatter icon

Planting Outdoors

12-03-2025

This week we have planted sunflower seeds, made scented play dough using lavender, rosemary and mint and planted vegetables, daffodils and herbs. We will be watching the changes to the seeds as they grow.

6
chatter icon

Biscuit Experiment

12-03-2025

As part of Science Week we did an experiment about which biscuit is the best for dipping! We have used a variety of biscuits to dip into milk, water and oil. We looked to see which liquid was the best to use. Thank you Mrs Kelly for giving us great ideas for a fun afternoon!

8
chatter icon

Science Week

12-03-2025

This week we are celebrating Science Week at school. Reception are learning about a scientist called Sarah Boone who helped to create the modern day ironing board.

5
chatter icon

Errol’s Garden

11-03-2025

This week our focused story in literacy is Errol’s Garden. If you would like to share it at home, here is a link to the book.

8
chatter icon

Planting Sunflower Seeds

11-03-2025

We have had a great time beginning our topic of Growth by planting sunflower seeds. We will observe the changes to the seeds over the next few weeks. We are also celebrating Science Week at school this week.

7
chatter icon

Scientist Study – Alexander Miles

10-03-2025

To begin our British Science Week activities, year 3 researched a new scientist. We discovered that Alexander Miles invented automatic elevator door in 1887. We completed a research activity on the IPads and created our own art piece of Alexander using art skills of continuing the picture and shading.

50
chatter icon

Heart Art

05-03-2025

To accompany our learning about the circulatory system and the heart, we have produced some of our own artwork and posters linked to the topic.

4
chatter icon

How do shadows change throughout the day?

05-03-2025

Today we tracked and measured the length of one shadow throughout the day. We noticed that our shadow was as its shorted midday and that it moved as the sun appeared to move. We explained in our books that it is the Earth spinning on its axis that creates the different times of day.

6
chatter icon

Y3 Sustainability Project with Metal

27-02-2025

Y3 have been busy making their own paper out of pulp this morning with our visitors from Metal.

5
chatter icon

Food Chains

27-02-2025

Y4 have been exploring food chains this afternoon to build on their knowledge of animals and living things.

5
chatter icon

Phases of the moon

11-02-2025

We had a wonderful afternoon showing (and eating) the different phases of the moon. First the children represented this with the ball (moon) and the torch (sun) to find the phases. Then we used biscuits to recreate this. Please ask us about the different phases, can you spot the moon at home?

57
chatter icon

Year 3 Science With Ms Siddiqui

07-02-2025

We are learning about our skeletons and muscles. They help to support and protect our bodies. They also help us to move.

 

61
chatter icon

The Digestive System

06-02-2025

Today Y4 explored the process of digestion by replicating their own model. It was a messy activity and we learned so much!

10
chatter icon

Sustainability Project LJMU

05-02-2025

Y3 & 4 were lucky enough to work with students from LJMU to learn about sustainability.. We made bracelets out of plastic bags. 

13
chatter icon

Do taller children jump further?

05-02-2025

y

Y3 have been investigating do taller children jump further this afternoon. We took our lesson outside and measured heights and distance travelled. We concluded that generally this is true but some shorter children were able to jump just as far!

12
chatter icon

Sunflowers

03-02-2025

We were very lucky last week to have some visitors in our class talking to us about keeping our environment healthy and how to look after plants. We all planted our very own sunflower seeds to take home. 🌻

64
chatter icon

Nutrition researchers

31-01-2025

Y3 have been exploring nutrition facts from a range of food packaging. We identified the food groups we had learned about and compared measurements of salt and sugar in some foods.

10
chatter icon

Y3 Funny Bones

31-01-2025

Y3 have been busy labelling bones in the humans body. Steve the skeleton joined us for our lesson this week and taught us some names of bones in the human body.

11
chatter icon

Y4 Eggsperiment

31-01-2025

Y4 have been busy learning all about human and animal teeth this half term. We decided to investigate the effect different drinks had on our teeth. We discovered some shocking conclusions!

13
chatter icon

Our bones

28-01-2025

We looked at our bones that help us move about, support our body and protect our organs.

 

 

13
chatter icon

Earth and space

24-01-2025

This week in science we have been looking at night and day. We have been learning about the rotation of Earth and how this creates daylight and nighttime.

14
chatter icon

Blue Planet! The BEST day!

19-01-2025

We absolutely loved Blue Planet!

70
chatter icon

How our solar system moves!

17-01-2025

Today we tried to recreate the direction and movement of our solar system. We discussed how this is not to scale but wanted to show what we had learnt about ‘Earth and Space’ so far. Please ask us questions about the solar system!

70
chatter icon

We have been exploring the ice today and thinking of different ways to help it melt. Some suggestions were “put it in the sunshine” “put hot water on it” it was lots of fun and we learnt lots of new vocab rescuing the animals and describing the ice.

10-01-2025
25
chatter icon

We have been working out how to rescue the animals from the ice. 🧊 “we need a hammer to hit it” “we need to melt it” were some suggestions.

07-01-2025
18
chatter icon

Does our arm span increase as we grow older?

13-12-2024

We took measurements of children from reception all the way to our eldest staff member! We then created a scatter graph of our results.

27
chatter icon

Rocks!

05-12-2024

We have been studying rocks and today we tested the how hard wearing sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous are, along with their permeability and how they react to acids.

 

20
chatter icon

Pattern seeking – science

04-12-2024

In science today we put our ideas to the test. we either chose to either investigate if children with the longest femur could jump the highest or if the tallest children could jump the highest. We completed the post it challenge and made sure our investigation was fair. 

108
chatter icon

NRG! Our power pledges.

28-11-2024

Last week we had a visit from NRG to tell us all about our use of electricity and what we can do to help. We have signed a pledge to use less electricity and water to help with waste of non-renewable energy.

98
chatter icon

NRG workshop

20-11-2024

Year 4 have learnt lots today about saving energy and money with Dr Watts and Dr Sparks.

28
chatter icon

NRGenius’s

20-11-2024

Year 3 had lots of fun learning about and talking through different ways we could save money by saving electricity. We learnt the benefits of turning off things we aren’t using and saving money by doing this. We had to create powerful images to show the importance of fossil fuels and why we need them. We then wrote our own pledge On how we will try to save money, well done Genius’s!!!⚡️💡🔦

104
chatter icon

NRGenius’s

19-11-2024

Year 3 had a great workshop this afternoon on how to save energy and how to be NRGenius’s. They had to create a powerful image representing why we use fossil fuels. We learnt all about renewable energy and how these are better for our environment. We ended the session by making a pledge to try our best to save energy. 💡⚡️

107
chatter icon

Sorting and Classifying

15-11-2024

This week, we worked scientifically by sorting and classifying different types of rocks. We explored the rocks and discussed their characteristics. The children came up with great words such as ‘rough’ ‘bumpy’ ‘smooth’ ‘sharp’

98
chatter icon

Charles Darwin

24-10-2024

In Science, Year 6 have been learning about Charles Darwin as part of their ‘Evolution and Inheritance’ unit. Look at this incredible writing they have produced!

40
chatter icon

Making a Water Filter

18-10-2024
34
chatter icon

Y4 String telephones

16-10-2024

As part of their sound topic, Y4 have been investigating which mediums sound travels through. We did this by experimenting with string telephones. We had so much fun talking to our friends on our telephones but only some of them passed the message through!

28
chatter icon

Friction Experiment

01-10-2024


Year 3 have been exploring the force friction by testing the distance cars travel on different surfaces. We discovered that the surface carpet had high friction but plastic had low friction.

25
chatter icon

Friction!

24-09-2024

We used a car and a ramp to create a fair test for friction. We found out that plastic is smooth so has a low amount of friction and sandpaper is rough and bumpy so has a high amount of friction.

 

26
chatter icon

Science Investigation in Y6

18-09-2024

As part of our Evolution and Inheritance unit, we designed and carried out an investigation into the different beak sizes and shapes of birds. After learning about Charles Darwin and his study of finches, we carried out our own investigation: How does the size and shape of beak affect their diet? How can they thrive in the habitat in which they live?

23
chatter icon

Year 3 Science forces

18-09-2024

We looked at different forces in science and were able to organise them into a push and pull Venn diagram.

34
chatter icon

Year 1 have been having fun labelling our body parts in science

10-09-2024

111
chatter icon

5EHD Investigating water resistance

10-07-2024

50
chatter icon

What will happen?

05-07-2024

Year 3 had an exciting afternoon learning about how water is transported around pants. We completed an experiment with a celery stick and food colouring. We made a prediction about what might happen to the celery. Come back next week to see the results.

35
chatter icon

Water transportation!

04-07-2024

We used celery to investigate how xylems transport water and nutrients to the rest of the plant. Watch this space and see what we find out!

35
chatter icon

5EHD science

02-07-2024

Testing air resistance using parachutes.

 

 

37
chatter icon

Flowering plants

21-06-2024

Year 3 explored the different parts of a flowering plant. We found out that there are male and female parts and that bees and other insects help move pollen from flower to flower.

34
chatter icon

University Trip

18-06-2024

We had a fantastic day at the University of Liverpool on Friday. We took part in workshops related to Maths and Science…. including sitting in mini Planetarium!

166
chatter icon

Spider hunting in the sunshine ?️?

10-05-2024

We have been learning about spiders this week and have been looking at similarities and differences.

54
chatter icon

Shadows!

10-05-2024

Year 3 had a great afternoon exploring shadows. Thankfully we got a lovely sunny day to complete this lesson. We drew our shadows and after some time we returned outside and noticed how the position of the sun meant our shadows had moved.

40
chatter icon

Year 1 have been on a nature hunt

02-05-2024

For our first lesson about plants we have been on the playground to look for plants, seeds and animal evidence.

163
chatter icon

Cyanotype Art

30-04-2024

Year 3 used a very old way of producing photographs without a camera. We used light sensitive paper to create a cyanotype capture. The children created their designs using natural resources found around schools – similar to Anna Atkins.

48
chatter icon

Reflective materials

26-04-2024

Year 3 made predictions of what materials they thought would be the most reflective and the least reflective. They then tested that and checked to see how much light was reflected off each one. We spoke about material characteristics and why they absorbed or reflected some or a lot of the light.

55
chatter icon

Heart rate investigations in Y6 Science.

22-04-2024

As part of our ‘Circulatory Unit’ in Science, we devised our own investigations (in small groups) to find out about the effect of exercise on our heart rate. Some groups changed the exercise carried out, some changed the number of repetitions and some changed the time set. All results were recorded and are to be discussed in order to draw our conclusions.

48
chatter icon

4KM had a great morning working with the Hope university students learning about light and sound??!!

19-04-2024

52
chatter icon

Exploring Light

18-04-2024

3KM have been working scientifically by exploring the question ‘do we need light to see things?’

The children had 5 boxes with a different item in each. They had to peer through the hole in the box and make a predication on what the object could be. When more light was added to the box, some objects could be seen a lot easier than others.

175
chatter icon

The History of Telling The Time for Science Week

14-03-2024

We combined science with history with our TIME topic and looked at how tools to tell the time have changed over the years. We created a timeline of discoveries and measured out our own sundials with our protractors.

56
chatter icon

Super Science lesson explore our human skeleton and the bones that we have.

01-02-2024

50
chatter icon

year 1 Zoolab visit

30-11-2023

Year 1 had a visit form lots of animals today to celebrate our learning in science.

77
chatter icon

Year 1 had a visit from zoolab

30-11-2023

Year 1 were very excited to have a visit from lots of animals today!

81
chatter icon

Young Scientist Centre

23-11-2023

5NA went to a solar system workshop at UCLAN. We did lots of investigations all about the solar system!

248
chatter icon

Bulb Planting in Crown Street Park!

23-11-2023

78
chatter icon

RLMc visit Speke Hall

21-11-2023

Yesterday RLMc had lots of fun visiting Speke Hall. We looked at the changes for Autumn and we even saw a sleeping giant! We visited the giants house, kitchen, music room and even his playground. It was lots of fun!

102
chatter icon

Y2science

15-11-2023

Year 2 have been sorting things into 3 categories-alive, dead and never been alive. We had a lot of fun looking at the things that were alive too!

64
chatter icon

Y2 Classification

15-11-2023

Year 2 have been sorting items into Alive, Dead and Never been alive. We looked at the characteristics of Living Things by using MRS GREN.

55
chatter icon

Year 2 science

15-11-2023

Year 2 have been sorting things into 3 categories – alive, dead and ever been alive. We had a lot of fun looking at some living things from the playground too!

61
chatter icon

Year 3 have explored the different rocks that make our school. We discussed the key characteristics of each rock.

09-11-2023

63
chatter icon

We have been learning all about animals in science today

08-11-2023

67
chatter icon

We investigated the question are the oldest children the tallest today

19-10-2023

We investigated the question are the oldest children the tallest today in @SmithdownPrimY2 #smithdownsci

271
chatter icon

Lots of discussion with our connect retrieval task today matching features of different stages of development

19-10-2023

Lots of discussion with our connect retrieval task today matching features of different stages of development. It was lovely to hear some of our fabulous new vocabulary being used independently #smithdownsci @SmithdownPrimY2 @baronbedford @Edu_Meadows

64
chatter icon

After learning about life cycles with Years 2 & 5

19-10-2023

After learning about life cycles, @SmithdownPrimY5 kindly invited us to watch their butterfly release this afternoon. 4 classes of pure excitement ? #smithdownsci @SmithdownPrimY2

80
chatter icon

4LA exploring conductors & insulators

19-10-2023

4LA exploring conductors & insulators @SmithdownPrimY4 #smithdownsci

75
chatter icon

4KM exploring conductors & insulators this week

19-10-2023

4KM exploring conductors & insulators this week @SmithdownPrimY4 #smithdownsci

69
chatter icon

We then focused on how animals mature by looking at some life cycles…

19-10-2023

We then focused on how animals mature by looking at some life cycles. Mr. Ma let the Y5 caterpillars visit KS1 and just look at their faces. We identified some at pupa stage for some science in action #smithdownsci @baronbedford @Edu_Meadows

72
chatter icon

Deep in conversation about animal offspring in matching mothers to young

19-10-2023

Deep in conversation about animal offspring in matching mothers to young #smithdownsci @baronbedford @Edu_Meadows

254
chatter icon

3KMc exploring how opposite poles repel and like poles attract with magnets

19-10-2023

3KMc exploring how opposite poles repel and like poles attract with magnets #smithdownsci @SmithdownPrimY3

66
chatter icon

4LA hard at work exploring switches in circuits

19-10-2023

4LA hard at work exploring switches in circuits #smithdownsci

64
chatter icon

Today we kicked off our topic and Curriculum project

19-10-2023

Today we kicked off our topic and @Curriculum_USP project in @SmithdownPrimY2 by recapping what an animal is and learning about vertebrates/invertebrates @baronbedford @Edu_Meadows #smithdownsci

72
chatter icon

4KM testing predictions about complete and incomplete circuits

19-10-2023

4KM testing predictions about complete and incomplete circuits #smithdownsci @SmithdownPrimY4

67
chatter icon

4LA ~ Sorting mains and battery powered appliances today

19-10-2023

4LA ~ Sorting mains and battery powered appliances today, then working scientifically to test our predictions about positions of components in a circuit @SmithdownPrimY4 #smithdownsci

58
chatter icon

Great afternoon with 4KM back to doing what we love the most – investigating!

19-10-2023

Great afternoon with 4KM back to doing what we love the most – investigating!! This time, circuits. They took up the challenge of making the light bulb light ? #smithdownsci @SmithdownPrimY4

69
chatter icon

Kicking our electricity topic off in year 4

19-10-2023

Kicking our electricity topic off in @SmithdownPrimY4 by thinking about what electrical appliances we have at home #smithdownsci

65
chatter icon

We are looking at life cycles in science…

19-10-2023

We are looking at life cycles in science, so now have 40 caterpillars that we are going to watch transform into butterflies. We have given them food, and are going to monitor them turn into chrysalises. #smithdownsci @MrsKellyx @MissGuy_

67
chatter icon

We have been exploring different push and pull forces that require contact between two objects

19-10-2023

We have been exploring different push and pull forces that require contact between two objects. Lots of toys and actions helped us understand these forces. Year 3 did a great job of organising the forces into our Venn diagram. #smithdownsci

61
chatter icon

Thank you to all the families who came to our stay and learn session today

19-10-2023

Thank you to all the families who came to our stay and learn session today.

78
chatter icon

Labelling human body parts today with year 1

19-10-2023

We’ve been having lots of fun labelling human body parts today #smithdownsci @SmithdownPrimY1

65
chatter icon

Science activities for you today Year 1!

19-10-2023

Lots of exciting science activities waiting for you today Year 1! #smithdownscience @SmithdownPrimY1

71
chatter icon

Year 1 have had great fun labelling the body parts in science today…

19-10-2023

Year 1 have had great fun labelling the body parts in science today. Well done! #smithdownscience @SmithdownPrimY1

70
chatter icon

Year 1 have been naming the body parts in science…

19-10-2023

Year 1 have been naming the body parts in science this week. #smithdownscience @SmithdownPrimY1

79
chatter icon

Tasting different foods last week…

19-10-2023

Tasting different foods last week as part of learning about our bodies- some were a bit sour! #smithdowneyfs #smithdownsci

 

81
chatter icon

We love incorporating baking into our Understanding the World lessons!

19-10-2023

We love incorporating baking into our Understanding the World lessons! We watched how the cake mixture changed state after we added water. #smithdowneyfs #smithdownsci

83
chatter icon

Exploring changes of state

19-10-2023

Exploring changes of state through messy play. #smithdowneyfs #smithdownsci

77
chatter icon

Making unicorn ? playdough today to develop fine motor skills…

19-10-2023

Making unicorn ? playdough today to develop fine motor skills and see what happens when cornflour is mixed with hair conditioner #smithdowneyfs #smithdownsci

73
chatter icon

Planting some apple ?

18-10-2023

One of our superstars has planted some apple ? seeds to see if they grow #smithdownsci #smithdowneyfs

80