Our curriculum is designed to provide children with meaningful learning experiences and enrichment opportunities, supporting both academic development and a genuine interest in learning.

At Dallington, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) forms part of a connected approach to learning, where ideas are explored across subjects and linked to real experiences.

Children are encouraged to make connections, think independently and engage with what they are learning in a way that feels purposeful. By bringing different areas of knowledge together, STEM becomes a natural part of how children investigate the world around them, helping to build understanding through curiosity, experimentation and reflection.

 

What is STEM in primary schools?

STEM in primary education introduces children to science, technology, engineering and mathematics in a way that helps them understand how the world works and how ideas connect. Through exploring these areas, children begin to recognise patterns, ask questions and make sense of what they observe around them. Alongside subject knowledge, STEM develops a child’s ability to think logically, solve problems and explain ideas with confidence.

 

The Dallington School STEM Ethos

For pupils at Dallington, STEM learning is woven throughout school life, giving children the opportunity to explore ideas in a way that feels connected and meaningful. Rather than approaching subjects in isolation, children encounter scientific and mathematical concepts through broader themes that link different areas of learning together.

This allows ideas to be explored in context. Children might investigate a scientific concept, apply mathematical thinking, and use technology or design within the same area of study, helping them to build a deeper understanding.

Learning is also shaped by curiosity. Children are encouraged to ask questions, test their thinking and follow lines of enquiry that emerge naturally from discussion and experience. By grounding STEM in real situations and shared exploration, our pupils’ learning becomes more purposeful, engaging and easier to apply beyond the classroom.

STEM at Dallington School London Progressive Independent Private

Science

Science at Dallington focuses on building a strong foundation in understanding, while encouraging curiosity about the natural world. Our children explore biology, chemistry and physics through the lens of their termly topic, helping them see how concepts connect to real life.

Practical experimentation is central to this approach. Lessons are designed to be hands-on and rooted in experience, so that ideas are not only theoretical but understood through observation and application. Children are encouraged to ask questions, test their thinking and develop their own lines of enquiry, allowing learning to grow naturally from their curiosity.

This work is enriched by regular school trips to museums and workshops, helping to extend learning beyond the classroom and make scientific ideas tangible and engaging.

STEM at Dallington School London Progressive Independent Private

Technology

Technology is used across the school to support and enhance learning, with tools such as laptops, tablets and interactive whiteboards helping children explore ideas in different ways.

Coding is a key part of computing at Dallington, developing computational thinking, problem-solving, creativity and collaboration. At its simplest, coding is about understanding how to give clear instructions and recognising that outcomes depend on sequence and logic. Children learn that if they want something to happen, they need to plan it carefully and build it step by step.

This begins in the Nursery, where children use tactile tools such as Cubetto and Codepillar to explore early computational thinking through play. As they progress, they move on to Scratch Junior and then Scratch, creating animations, games and interactive projects. By Year 6, children work both independently and collaboratively to design and develop their own ideas, using coding as a tool for creativity and problem-solving.

Engineering

Engineering is explored throughout the school in practical and creative ways. From building with blocks in the early years to developing more complex models and working with design tools in the Middle School, children are encouraged to think about how things are made and how they work.

Our cross-curricular approach allows engineering to connect naturally with other areas of learning, including Outdoor Learning. Projects may emerge from broader themes or real-life situations, giving children the opportunity to apply their ideas in context and see how different areas of knowledge come together.

Through this approach, children develop resilience, creativity and confidence in problem-solving. They learn to approach challenges with curiosity, adapt their ideas and work collaboratively, building skills that support learning across the curriculum.

STEM at Dallington School London Progressive Independent Private
Numeracy at Dallington School London Independent Progressive Private

Mathematics

Mathematics is taught daily as a dedicated subject, providing children with a secure foundation in numerical understanding. Using the White Rose programme, children explore numbers, shapes, space, measures and data in a structured and progressive way. Alongside this, there is a strong emphasis on conceptual understanding and verbal reasoning. Children are encouraged to explain their thinking, explore different approaches and apply their knowledge to solve maths problems with confidence.

This balance of structure and understanding helps children to develop both fluency and flexibility in their mathematical thinking. More information about White Rose can be found here.

See STEM in Action

The best way to understand the benefits of our unique approach to learning at Dallington is to see it for yourself. Why not come to one of our open days or book a private tour of our school to see our STEM lessons in action?

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