Science
Intent
At Little Waltham C.E.V.A. Primary School, we are keen for every child to find and explore their inner scientist. Our intent as a school is to teach an exciting, broad and balanced Science curriculum that encourages all children to explore and discover the world around them. We want our children to have a deep and personal understanding of the world in which they live: for them to love Science and see its purpose and potential in their own life. We want children to understand the real-world application of Science and understand its future job prospects; we want them to leave primary school knowing that they can grow up to become astronauts, forensic scientists, engineers or microbiologists. It is our intention that our children remember their Science lessons as experiences in which they were able to explore, observe and learn deeply and purposefully about the world around them. To achieve this, we prioritise curiosity and questions. Our aim is that all children will develop secure observation and critical thinking skills and that this will work alongside their learning of scientific knowledge and vocabulary. We want all children to love learning about Science and see themselves as capable of deepening their own understanding through exploration, observation and investigation.
Implementation
Our Science curriculum has been carefully planned and sequenced to meet all National Curriculum requirements but it also allows room for cross-curricular links wherever possible and relevant.
- Topics are taught either termly or half-termly to allow children to develop their knowledge and skills consistently throughout the year.
- Every year group will build upon the learning from prior year groups therefore developing depth of understanding and age-appropriate progression of skills.
- Throughout every topic, children are taught scientific vocabulary, which enables them to articulate their understanding of concepts coherently.
- Displays in the classrooms are interesting, display specific vocabulary and show the progress of learning throughout the topic.
- All children are given plenty of opportunities to explore, question, predict, plan, observe and investigate questions and concepts.
- Children present their findings and explain their observations using presentations, diagrams, tables and graphs. They understand how to explain conclusions drawn from their findings.
- At the start of each new topic, children are given the opportunity to discuss what they already know. At the end of the topic, they can see what they have learned and the progress they have made in their learning.
- Each lesson begins with a key question which encourages curiosity, discussion and child-led learning opportunities. Children are encouraged to suggest ways to find answers to the key questions.
- To support teaching, teachers access a range of resources and planning from different, accredited schemes of work. They are also encouraged to explore their own ideas and make lessons relevant to the needs and interests of their class.
- Educational visits and visitors are planned to enrich and enhance the pupil’s learning experiences within the Science curriculum.
- Teachers use assessment for learning in each lesson to ensure misconceptions are highlighted, explored and addressed.
- Class teachers and the subject leader utilise assessment in order to identify and address gaps in learning or barriers to progress for groups of children.
- Modelling by teachers ensures that children are able to achieve their learning objective and acquire scientific knowledge and understanding.
- Teachers carefully plan lessons to ensure that all children, regardless of educational, physical or social needs, are able to access the lesson and develop their understanding.
- Pupils are regularly given the opportunity for self or peer assessment, which will then be used to inform planning, preparation and address misconceptions within that lesson, or for the next lesson.
- Cross-curricular links between Science and other curriculum areas are planned for and actively encouraged.
EYFS
The Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum supports children’s understanding of Science through the planning and teaching of ‘Understanding the World.’ Children find out about objects, materials and living things using all of their senses looking at similarities, differences, patterns and change. Both the environment and skilled practitioners foster curiosity and encourage explorative play, children are motivated to ask questions about why things happen and how things work. Our children are encouraged to use their natural environment around them to explore. Children enjoy spending time outdoors exploring mini-beasts and their habitats, observing the changing seasons, plants and animals. Children regularly participate in cookery and baking sessions which allows them to experience changes in state as ingredients are mixed, heated and cooled.
Impact
- Most children will achieve age related expectations in Science at the end of their cohort year.
- Children will retain knowledge that is pertinent to Science with a real life context.
- Children will understand the real-life impact of Science and understand some of the ways in which it can lead to further education and future careers.
- Children will develop critical thinking skills, will be able to question ideas, lead enquiries and reflect on their knowledge.
- Children will work collaboratively and practically to question, investigate and experiment.
- Children will be able to explain the process they have taken and be able to reason scientifically.