Sciences

We are delighted to have been awarded the Primary Science Quality Mark! 

This celebrates our outstanding commitment to the teaching and leading of Science across the academic year 2022-23. We continue to strive with maintaining this standard and making further positive improvements where possible. We are now working towards achieving this again.

Intent

In Science, we intend to inspire pupils to learn something new through an exciting, engaging curriculum. We encourage learners to embrace subject content with a curiosity and fascination about the world around them. We will develop their scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding as well as their scientific language, enabling children to talk about their methods and explain their findings and conclusions. Our practical investigations and varied curriculum will motivate them to become effective communicators of scientific ideas, facts and data whilst enhancing their practical skills of scientific enquiry.

Implementation

We follow the Plan Matrices scheme of Work. By implementing this scheme we will teach all objectives from the National Curriculum with a clear progression of skills between each year group, and a love of science promoted within our school. This supports the development of different types of scientific enquiry whilst embedding a deep, detailed understanding of scientific concepts over time. 

Through our use of trips and enrichment activities, we aim to provide opportunities to take part in science focused experiences or to share in other activities which will enrich our children’s learning in this subject, for example by celebrating National Science Week.

Our Vision

Science learning in our school goes well when children are given opportunities to discover and explore.  This approach is inclusive and allows the children engage in practical opportunities. This allows them to remember it better and adds purpose to their learning. It also goes well when the learning is progressive and builds on prior knowledge. This pushes the learning forward and demonstrates that they have understood and can make links.

Science teaching in our school goes well when staff are confident in their subject knowledge to plan sessions that are progressive and inclusive because misconceptions are addressed effectively. It also goes well when children are provided with child led lessons which encourage curiosity and investigations and scientific thinking. This promotes a higher level of participation. It also provides a sense of ownership in their own learning. It also goes well when vocabulary instruction is clear and structured because children can use it effectively and accurately.

Our principles

To use explicit vocabulary instruction enabling children to use language accurately and confidently to explain their thinking.

To undertake practical activities and enquiries which give purpose to learning and help knowledge to be remembered and applied.

To regularly assess the children’s understanding for working scientifically and respond to their needs.

To ensure inclusivity through lessons which are accessible to all learners, ensuring every child can participate, succeed and feel confident as a scientist.

To carefully sequence learning to build of prior knowledge, enabling pupils to revisit, reinforce and extend their understanding while making clear links between concepts.

To create an environment where children are encouraged to be curious and ask questions. Celebrating science learning.

Assessment

At the beginning of each unit, teachers use a range of pre-assessment techniques, to gain a clear picture of what each child knows and wants to learn.

Teachers use ongoing formative assessment throughout science lessons to inform their judgements. This is done through a range of mini-quizzes, formal written work, oral discussions, and end of unit checks.

For more information regarding the progression of knowledge and skills across the science curriculum, please see the attached documents below: