Science
Learning by Doing
These are the moments that become core memories, spark curiosity and help every child to leave Chinthurst with a genuine love of Science and a desire to keep discovering more.
Science at Chinthurst is practical, hands-on and often gloriously messy. Our Science curriculum encourages children to think critically, investigate independently and make connections between what they learn in the classroom and the world around them. Every lesson includes investigation and experimentation, with children taking the lead as scientists themselves rather than simply watching their teacher demonstrate. Whether building robotic lighthouses in Year 3, exploring peristalsis with tights in Year 4, or dissecting hearts in Year 6, children learn by doing.
Science should be something children remember with a smile. If they can smell it, touch it, squish it and investigate it for themselves, they won't just understand Science – they'll love it.
Ruth Read, Science Lead
Discovering Science Through Exploration
Scientific thinking begins long before formal investigations. From Nursery onwards, children are encouraged to question, explore and make sense of the world around them through first-hand experiences.
In the Lower School, our weekly Discovery Afternoons provide rich opportunities for children to develop scientific knowledge and enquiry skills through outdoor learning, gardening, environmental projects, Forest School and STEAM challenges. Children learn to observe closely, ask questions, make predictions and test their ideas while investigating the natural world around them.
These meaningful, hands-on experiences help children develop curiosity, resilience and problem-solving skills, providing strong foundations for the increasingly sophisticated scientific enquiry they encounter as they move through the school.
We want our children to experience science rather than simply learn about it. Discovery Afternoons give them the opportunity to explore, investigate and make meaningful connections with the world around them.
Toni Burton, Head of Lower School
Preparing for the Next Stage
All children in Years 3 to 6 enjoy a double Science lesson each week in our well-equipped Science Lab. By Year 6, children confidently plan, conduct and analyse their own investigations, drawing conclusions from evidence and communicating their findings with confidence. They can even dissect a heart, not only to understand its structure and function, but also to develop the practical and analytical skills needed to investigate complex scientific questions.
They leave Chinthurst familiar with using a wide range of scientific equipment, preparing slides and specimens, working with microscopes and recording their observations accurately, giving them the confidence and skills to make a smooth transition to senior school Science.
Bringing Science to Life
Science is embraced across the whole school and celebrated well beyond weekly lessons. British Science Week is always a highlight, with children taking part in whole-school Science Curriculum Days packed with fun, hands-on challenges and memorable experiences.
Activities have included immersive journeys through the Science Dome, transporting children to the wonders of space exploration without ever leaving the school grounds, alongside visits from inspiring speakers and interactive science demonstrations led by teachers from our senior school, Reigate Grammar School. Educational visits further enrich learning throughout the year, with trips to the Observatory Science Centre in Herstmonceux, Haslemere Museum to explore fossils and rocks, Wisley Gardens, Juniper Hall and the Living Rainforest.
These experiences bring learning to life, deepen understanding and create lasting memories that inspire children to keep questioning, discovering and developing a lifelong love of Science.
Pupils are taught an appropriate range of other subjects such as science, humanities, and information and communication technology (ICT) which broaden pupils' knowledge, skills and understanding.
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