Science & Technology | Herbert Thompson

Science and Technology at Herbert Thompson

Here at Herbert Thompson we are looking forward to embracing the new Science and Technology Area of Learning and Experience.

This Area of Learning and Experience draws on the disciplines of:

Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Design and Technology, and Physics.

Developments in both Science and Technology have always been drivers of change in society, underpinning innovation and impacting on everyone’s lives, materially, economically and culturally. As such, this area of learning and experience will be consistently relevant in the opportunities young people encounter and the life choices that they make.

The importance of scientific and technological literacy in our modern world cannot be understated. It is not sufficient that learners can simply ‘do’ Science and Technology. Ready access to vast amounts of information requires all learners to be able to assess inputs critically, understand the basis of information presented as fact, and make informed judgements that impact their own behaviours and values. They need to develop the ability to meaningfully ask the question, ‘Just because we can, does that mean we should?’.

Here at Herbert Thompson Primary we focus on developing the 'What Matters' statements within the Science and Technology Area of Learning and Experience.

Science and Technology uses prediction, testing and questioning to develop theories and innovations that increase our understanding of both our physical and digital worlds and that aim to improve our lives.
Being curious and searching for answers helps further our understanding of the natural world and helps society progress.
Design thinking and engineering are technical and creative endeavours intended to meet society’s needs and wants.
The world around us is full of living things which depend on each other for survival.
Understanding the atomic nature of matter and how it shapes the world.
Forces and energy determine the structure and dynamics of the universe.
Computation applies algorithms to data in order to solve real-world problems.

At Herbert Thompson Primary we pride ourselves in providing your children with the best resources and teaching and learning experiences across the curriculum. Pupils are encouraged and supported to develop their inner confidence in order to raise attainment and improve their well being. Pupils are provided with experiences to develop the key skills (thinking, communication, ICT and number) within all aspects of their learning.

All pupils from Nursery to Year 6 have the opportunity to develop their ICT (Information Communication Technology) skills through other curriculum areas across the 6 key strands of ICT (Programming, Data Handling, Digital Literacy, Multimedia and Our Digital World) using a variety of hardware and software within the classroom, around the school and using the facilities of our wonderful ICT Suite. Pupils are exposed to new technologies and online resources to expand their ICT experiences and skills.

As we are aware, many of our pupils have access to computers and the Internet at home, away from the school environment. We often set homework tasks which may require pupils to access the Internet for research purposes or use software to create and present their ideas. Extending learning opportunities away from school in the home is vital in order to support and consolidate pupils’ learning.

As a school, we have the opportunity to acquire a wonderful resource – ‘Purple Mash’. Purple Mash is a new creative online space for primary pupils that can be accessed at home using the Internet. Each pupil will also have their own online space to save and access their work from. Purple Mash includes an array of online tools, paint projects, maths games, literacy development tasks, computing tasks, topic based activities and so much more!

In order to support your child’s learning at home every child has been given their own personal username and password to take home to access the resources and save what they have completed 'online' using their online space. *Obviously, Internet access in the home is necessary in order to access this amazing resource.

We really appreciate the support you give us as a school and your children in order to develop their learning in school and at home.

Arabic Translation - click here