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    • Science

    Science at Cribden House is practical, hands-on, and rooted in real experiences. The curriculum is designed to spark curiosity and help children understand the world around them through exploration, observation and investigation. Lessons are tailored to individual needs, ensuring every learner can access scientific thinking at their developmental level, no matter their starting point.

    As a Total Communication School, we use a range of communication tools—including Makaton, PECS, Widgit symbols, visual prompts and structured language—to support understanding and expression. Science learning is enhanced through outdoor education, Forest School and thematic units that connect scientific ideas with children’s everyday lives.

    Being Pathway

    On the Being Pathway, science falls under Understanding the World: The Natural World. Children learn through first-hand encounters with their environment, observing weather, animals, plants and seasonal changes. They investigate different materials, habitats and contrasting environments through sensory experiences such as Forest School, water play, nature walks and small-world exploration.

    Learning focuses on noticing changes, making simple observations and beginning to use scientific vocabulary with support. Staff model language, encourage curiosity and provide visual prompts to help children communicate what they see, feel or discover. Science is playful and practical, allowing children’s natural curiosity to guide exploration.

    Progress is recorded through observations and photographs and shared on Tapestry. Evidence is linked to individual needs and EHCP targets to ensure purposeful development for every child.

    Doing Pathway

    On the Doing Pathway, science is taught through Knowledge of the World, specifically the Earth, Life and Environments strand of the Doing Curriculum. Learning remains highly practical and meaningful, allowing children to explore science through real-life, familiar contexts. Instead of relying on written work, pupils learn by touching, observing, investigating, collecting and testing—making scientific concepts concrete and memorable.

    Children explore the natural world around them by observing plants and animals, exploring habitats, noticing seasonal and weather changes, investigating natural materials and using their senses to explore properties and differences. Staff break learning into small, achievable steps, ensuring every child experiences success and progression.

    Children are supported to notice patterns, make simple predictions, explore cause and effect and use scientific vocabulary in a way that works for them. Findings might be recorded through photos, symbols, signing, mark-making or simple charts.

    As part of our Total Communication approach, Makaton, visual supports, sensory resources and structured routines help children communicate their scientific ideas. Learning takes place indoors and outdoors, with rich opportunities through Forest School, nature walks, gardening and sensory exploration.

    Assessment focuses on engagement and practical progress, rather than written output. Teachers gather evidence through observations, photographs, discussions and hands-on investigations. Progress is tracked using the Cribden House Assessment Tool, and small steps of achievement are celebrated and used to plan next learning linked to EHCP targets.

    Thinking Pathway

    On the Thinking Pathway, pupils access a more formal science curriculum aligned with the National Curriculum, supported by structured units and age-appropriate scientific vocabulary. Children learn about biology, chemistry and physics and are encouraged to think scientifically by predicting, planning enquiries, gathering results and drawing conclusions.

    Practical investigation remains central, with opportunities for fair testing, classification, research and observation over time. Whole-class science books may be used in some groups to capture shared learning without creating unnecessary barriers to recording.

    Outdoor learning continues to play an important role, allowing pupils to explore habitats, life cycles, seasonal change and environmental science in real contexts. Assessment is ongoing and based on observations, work completed in class, discussion and practical evidence. Teachers use PIVATS and Working Scientifically frameworks to track progress and plan next steps. Parents receive written feedback annually and are able to discuss progress during consultation evenings.

    Across all three pathways, Science at Cribden House:

    • is practical, sensory and highly engaging

    • builds scientific vocabulary through Total Communication

    • provides real experiences indoors and outdoors

    • connects learning to children’s lives, interests and environments

    • supports every learner to ask questions, explore ideas and think scientifically

    Science helps our pupils make sense of the world, develop curiosity and become confident, independent learners—skills that continue far beyond the classroom.

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