Science

Science

Christleton Primary School understands the need for all pupils to develop their scientific ability as an essential component of all subjects and as a subject in its own right. A good understanding of scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding helps to support pupils work across the curriculum.

Intent

At Christleton Primary School we believe that a high quality science education provides the foundations for understanding the world through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. Science has changed our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity, and all pupils should be taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science. Through building up a body of key foundational knowledge and concepts, pupils should be encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. They should be encouraged to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes.

We ensure that all children are provided with rich learning experiences that aim to:

• Prepare our children for life in an increasingly scientific and technological world today and in the future.
• Help our children acquire a growing understanding of the nature, processes and methods of scientific ideas.
• Help develop and extend our children’s scientific concept of their world.
• Build on our children’s natural curiosity and developing a scientific approach to problems.
• Encouraging open-mindedness, self-assessment, perseverance and developing the skills of  investigation – including: observing, measuring, predicting, hypothesising, experimenting, communicating, interpreting, explaining and evaluating.
• Develop the use of scientific language, recording and techniques.
• Develop the use of computing in investigating and recording.
• Make links between science and other subjects.

Implementation

The staff at Christleton ensure that all children are exposed to high quality teaching and learning experiences, which allow children to explore their outdoor environment and locality, thus developing their scientific enquiry and investigative skills. They are immersed in scientific vocabulary, which aids children’s knowledge and understanding not only of the topic they are studying, but of the world around them. We intend to provide all children regardless of ethnic origin, gender, class, aptitude or disability, with a broad and balanced science curriculum.

In ensuring high standards of teaching and learning in science, we implement a curriculum that is progressive throughout the whole school.

Planning for science is a process in which all teachers are involved to ensure that the school gives full coverage of, ‘The National Curriculum programmes of study for Science 2014’ and, ‘Understanding of the World’ in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Science teaching at Christleton Primary School involves adapting and extending the curriculum to match all pupils’ needs using relevant support materials from a number of sources. During the Early Years Foundation Stage, particular attention is given to activities based on first hand experience that encourages exploration, observation, problem solving, prediction, critical thinking, decision making and discussion.  Under the area of learning entitled ‘Understanding of the World’, children develope the crucial knowledge, skills and understanding that form the foundation for later work in science.

Where possible, Science is linked to class topics and forms part of our connected curriculum. Science is taught as discrete units and lessons where needed to ensure coverage. Due to one form year groups in our school, Science units are taught on a year rolling programme. This ensures progression between year groups and guarantees topics are covered. Teachers plan to suit their children’s interests, current events, their own teaching style, the use of any support staff and the resources available.

Science is taught consistently, once a week for up to two hours, but can also be taught in many different contexts throughout all areas of the curriculum. For example, through English, i.e. writing a biography of a famous scientist’s life, etc. Within any one class and within the range of science topics/work children are given the opportunity to work as a class, as individuals, with partners and as part of a group. At Christleton Primary School, we believe strongly in encouraging learning through investigation with an emphasis on first hand experiences.  However, it is also acceptable to use demonstration, exploration and teacher-led investigations when circumstances, resources and the needs of individuals and groups require. Group work offers the children opportunities to work together, share ideas, offer suggestions and provide first-hand experience.

Work is carefully planned, both to support children who experience difficulties, and to extend more able pupils.  Classroom assistants are used to support, challenge and deepen the children's uderstanding, particularly during practical activities.  Support will also be given to children who experience difficulties in recording work.

At Christleton we aspire to promote children’s independence and for all children to take responsibility in their own learning, therefore we have implemented self/teacher assessment strips for each lesson.  

Impact

The impact and measure of this is to ensure children not only acquire the appropriate age related knowledge linked to the science curriculum, but also skills which equip them to progress from their starting points, and within their everyday lives.

All children will have:

• A wider variety of skills linked to both scientific knowledge and understanding, and scientific enquiry/investigative skills.
• A richer vocabulary which will enable to articulate their understanding of taught concepts.
• High aspirations, which will see them through to further study, work and a successful adult life.

Our Science curriculum.

The documents below outline our science curriculum. 

Science Curriculum 

This document outlines how we have planned to deliver the National Curriculum in Science across Years 1- 6. 

Science and EYFS

The EYFS framework is structured very differently to the national curriculum as it is organised across seven areas of learning rather than subject areas.
Whilst we prefer not to refer to science as a discrete subject on the Early Years and Foundation Stage curriculum, it can be found within various areas of learning.

For example, relevant statements can be found in the following areas:

•    Communication and Language
•    Personal, Social and Emotional Development
•    Understanding the World 

This development of knowledge and understanding does not happen in isolation without simultaneously and symbiotically developing the other areas of learning. 
Our EYFS curriculum document provides the overview of how we deliver the EYFS framework in school and prepare our children for the National Curriculum covered from Year 1 upwards.  

National Curriculum Mapping

Our National Curriculum coverage mapping document highlights were the Science National Curriculum objectives are delivered in school. 

	Please click the icon opposite for Pupil Voice related to science
	Please click the icon opposite for images of Science in Action

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