Our aim at Peponi House Preparatory School is to make Science a hands-on subject where practical work complements children’s natural curiosity and fascination with what goes on around them. Investigative practical work is therefore a central focus of our teaching programmes.
The Junior pupils in Years 2 to 4 conduct their Science Lessons in their classes. The Curriculum is based on the British National Curriculum and includes topics like: Plants and Animals, Grouping Materials, and Forces in Year 2; to Lights, Rocks and Plants in Year 3; and Circuits and Conductors, Habitats, and Solids, Liquids and Gases in Year 4.
When the Children reach Year 5, the start of the Senior School, the two well-equipped Science Laboratories are used. With a number of ICT-orientated features, such as Interactive Whiteboards (in both labs), Video and DVD facilities and Data-logging equipment, there is scope to provide the Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 syllabus requirements in an interesting and challenging environment. The Year 5 and 6 pupils complete a range of central Science topics such as ‘Keeping Healthy’, ‘Reproduction’, ‘Gases around Us’, ‘Chemical and Physical Change’, ‘The Sun, Moon and Earth’ and ‘Particle Theory’. In Year 6, the end of Key Stage 2, pupils complete the SATs exams which give an indication of progress in terms of National Curriculum Levels – an important benchmark as compared to their peers in the UK. Year 6 also sees the teaching of Biology, Chemistry and Physics as distinct disciplines.
At the upper end of the school, Key Stage 3, the pupils continue to build on their knowledge base. In addition, and importantly, practical work plays an increasingly central part of the learning process. Our Year 7 and Year 8 pupils use the Independent Schools Examinations Board (ISEB) syllabus and requirements as a focus for teaching and learning. More complex notions are investigated including: Respiration and Photosynthesis in Biology, Elements and Compounds in Chemistry and Magnetism and Energy in Physics. At the end of year 8, pupils complete the Common Entrance Examination. Our children’s achievements are comparable with the best in Kenya – something we are very proud of.
Living in such a wonderful climate and with fascinating flora and fauna on our very doorstep makes field work and field studies an absolute must. Locally in Nairobi we can call on the National Museum to view adaptations and Evolution as well as visiting Nairobi National Park to see an array of animal and bird species first hand. Further afield, and often in conjunction with the Geography department, we are able to go on more extensive excursions. Opportunities to visit Lake Naivasha really do bring home concepts introduced in the classroom and act as great opportunities for pupils to engage meaningfully in real learning outcomes.
For further information contact:
Tim Richards
TR@peponihouseschool.co.ke
Head of Science
Years 7 & 8 Curriculum Coordinator
