Science

Science Curriculum

Intent.

We believe that through Science, children will develop an understanding of the world around them, the building blocks of life and the physical processes that occur every day. Through carefully planned practical experiences, children will develop the skills of scientific enquiry and draw conclusions about the world around them. We want our children to have a clear understanding of how science affects their life on a daily basis.

Science is a body of knowledge built up through the testing of ideas. Science in our school is about developing children’s ideas and ways of working that enable them to make sense of the world in which they live through investigation, as well as using and applying process skills.

Our aims are to teach children to understand how major ideas contribute to technological change (affecting industry, business and medicine) and improving our quality of life. Children should learn to question and discuss Science-based issues that may affect their own lives, the direction of society and the future of the world.

Implementation.

Science is taught using the PKC scheme of work, through which pupils build a body of key foundational science knowledge as they work through the curriculum, asking questions and developing a sense of curiosity about the world around us.

Pupils will be encouraged to use the knowledge they learn in Science and apply it to investigations that test a theory or set out to answer a question. Importantly, substantive scientific knowledge is taught first, before pupils are asked to undertake enquiry. This helps them to fully understand the elements of the enquiry first, and to make informed observations about the processes they see. Gathering information, recording data, graphing data and interpreting findings are all essential skills that pupils will apply to new contexts as they work through the curriculum. Enquiries include observing over time, pattern seeking, identifying, classifying and grouping, comparative and fair testing and researching using secondary sources. Scientific enquiries provide children with a wealth of opportunities, but first and foremost they will help to deepen understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science as a discipline and how it differs from other subjects they are studying. Pupils will gain an understanding of the purpose and uses of science both today and in the future.

Impact.

When reviewing impact, we assess against the Knowledge Goals, using the PKC assessment tools, enabling us to check whether children can remember what they have learnt.  We use “Science Sparks” at the start of each lesson to review prior learning, from the current academic year and the previous year. 

Science is monitored through regular:

• lesson observations,
• book looks,
• learning walks,
• planning and resources reviews
• pupil and staff voice

We continue to reflect upon the impact of our intent and implementation, identifying ways in which we can improve the experience of Science our children have in school.

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