Enquiry Curriculum
At Castle Primary School the children learn about 5 or 6 topics every year. Each topic is enquiry led and covers a range of different subjects; a lead subject, either science, geography or history and where links are easily made, other subjects like art or music.
Each enquiry always starts with a broad question which provides a focus for the learning. For example, ‘What was the difference between the Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age?’ when learning about the Stone Age, or ‘Were the Vikings callous killers or peaceful settlers?’ when learning about the Vikings. The question won’t be able to be answered straight away. Within an enquiry, children are guided by their teachers so that, by the end of the enquiry, they are able to answer the question.
In all enquiries, the emphasis is on children learning by exploring topics and the subject content within these. Enquiry lessons are designed to challenge children to take an active part in their learning and discover the knowledge for themselves.
The content of our curriculum is closely linked to our writing scheme: Pathways to Write. Where there is a link to the book that the class are reading the enquiry will link to the text. We are also fortunate that Keynsham is a town close to two cities that offer a wealth of geographical and historical opportunities. As much as possible enquiries explore our local area allowing children to develop a thorough an understanding of where they live.
You can find out more about the content of the school curriculum on the different subject pages.
See below to find out what each year group is studying during each term:
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Terms 1 & 2 |
Terms 3&4 |
Terms 5&6 |
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Year 1 |
Whole School Enquiry: Where do I belong?
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How do my surroundings change? Geography Science Art Music |
Who am I? Science Art Music |
Why do animals become extinct? History DT
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Who are the great space explorers? History Geography Art Music |
Which materials will be best? DT Science
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Year 2 |
Whole School Enquiry: Where do I belong? |
Who has a home in Keynsham? Geography Science Art DT Music |
Who is important in my city? History DT Music |
How are everyday materials useful? Science Art
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Plants: What makes them grow and why are they important? Science Art
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Are all schools the same? History Geography DT Music |
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Year 3 |
Whole School Enquiry: Where do I belong? |
What is the lifecycle of a plant? Science Art
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Where does my shadow come from? DT Science
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Would you prefer to live during the Stone Age, the Bronze Age or the Iron Age? History Science Art |
What does the future hold in store for the blue whale? Science Geography DT Music |
What can you discover about the rivers which flow through Keynsham? Science Geography Art |
Why was the River Nile important for Ancient Egypt? History Geography DT
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Year 4 |
Whole School Enquiry: Where do I belong? |
How does electricity flow? Science Geography DT
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What is sound? DT Science Music |
How did the Romans influence the culture of Britain? History Geography Art |
How powerful is our world? Science Geography DT Music |
Does deforestation matter? Geography Science Art Music |
How has travel changed? History Geography DT |
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Year 5 |
Whole School Enquiry: Where do I belong? |
Which force can you feel? DT Science
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What is chocolate and how did it end up in Keynsham? History Geography DT Science |
The Vikings: Ruthless Warriors or Peaceful Settlers? History Geography Art Music |
What is special about planet Earth? Science Art Music |
How has trade developed? History Geography Art
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How do habitats affect lifecycles? DT Science Music |
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Year 6 |
Whole School Enquiry: Where do I belong? |
How was Bristol affected during World War 2? History Geography Art |
How sustainable is Keynsham’s energy? DT Science |
What lies beneath the skin? Science Art Music |
What did Darwin do for Science? DT Science Music Geography |
Why were the Greeks Great? History Geography Art
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How does light travel? DT Science
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