By Mrs Martin (Head of Year 5)

As we approach half term, Year 5 are finalising their inquiry into our central idea: Children around the world experience different challenges and risks, which influence their rights and opportunities.

As part of our science learning, the girls have been exploring the properties and behaviour of materials through a series of practical investigations linked directly to real-world challenges surrounding access to clean water and resources.

Rather than learning scientific concepts in isolation, the girls have investigated how scientific understanding can improve people’s lives. Through testing soluble and insoluble materials, separating mixtures and exploring filtration, the children began to understand how access to safe water, medicine and suitable materials can shape opportunities for children around the world.

One of the most powerful aspects of the unit has been the thoughtful discussions surrounding our key concept of Equity. The girls considered how access to resources is not equal across the world and how science, innovation and organisations can help create positive change. It has been wonderful to see the girls approaching their investigations with such curiosity, empathy and reflective thinking, using both scientific knowledge and inquiry skills to deepen their understanding of the world around them.