Science
Intent:
At Abbey Primary School, we believe that a high quality science education provides the foundations for understanding the world through the three key areas of biology, chemistry and physics. Through our science curriculum, pupils will acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to enable them to think scientifically, to gain an understanding of scientific processes and also provide them with an understanding of the significance of science for both today and in the future. We endeavour to embrace a child’s natural curiosity about the universe around them, whilst promoting a respect for all living organisms and the environment.
At Abbey Primary School, in line with the aims of the National Curriculum, our science teaching offers opportunities for children to:
- Develop scientific knowledge and understanding within the three disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics.
- Develop an understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through types of enquiry that enable them to answer scientific questions about the world around them.
- Be equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the different uses of science.
- Develop essential scientific enquiry skills to deepen their scientific understanding.
- Use a range of methods to present scientific information, for example ICT, diagrams, graphs, tables etc.
- Develop a respect for the materials and equipment they handle with regard for their own, and other children’s safety.
- Develop an enthusiasm and enjoyment of scientific learning and discovery.
Implementation:
We have adopted a science curriculum: ‘Developing Experts’ which allows us to make cross curricular links between science and the wider curriculum. All lessons contain a balance of the different ‘Working Scientifically Skills’ and ‘Scientific Enquiry’ types, so that children practice a broad range of skills throughout the curriculum.
Within the Early Years Foundation Stage, science is taught through ‘Understanding the World’, allowing all pupils to start gaining scientific experiences from the beginning of their school journey. Across Years 1-6, Science is taught in explicit units in line with the National Curriculum. Where feasible, cross-curricular links are made to half termly topics and staff had the autonomy to organise units for when they best fit into the year, based upon other subjects, time of year etc. Our science curriculum is designed to provide children with the opportunity to work scientifically and acquire the necessary skills to problem solve and work collaboratively to conduct a range of investigative activities. When conducting investigations, children are encouraged to ‘think like scientists’ and make predictions using their previous knowledge and experiences. Teachers model the use of vocabulary, scientific equipment and the scientific skills needed in order to embed scientific understanding.
Impact:
Our science curriculum is carefully implemented by our staff and is in line with our skills progression. This allows us to ensure that all children are keeping up with the curriculum, therefore making progress. We measure the impact of our science curriculum through end of unit assessments. Our skills progression enables us to ensure that children’s scientific understanding is consistently being built upon, as it provides a clear structure for our science teaching.
As a school, we aim to ensure that all our children are equipped with the following from our science curriculum:
- A wider variety of skills linked to both scientific knowledge and understanding, as well as scientific enquiry and investigative skills.
- A rich vocabulary that will enable all children to articulate their understanding of taught concepts.
- An enthusiasm for Science which will prepare them for their continued studies in KS3 and beyond.
Skills Progression:
The key knowledge and skills of each scientific unit is provided with an emphasis upon ensuring progression across topics throughout each year group to build upon the knowledge acquired. There is a particular focus on providing children with the opportunity to develop their scientific enquiry skills from EYFS to the end of Key Stage 2.
Assessment:
Assessment for learning is continuous throughout the planning, teaching and learning cycle. Assessment is supported by use of the following strategies:
- Observing children at work, individually, in pairs, in a group and in class during whole class teaching.
- Scientific discussion during investigations which encourage children to apply their own thinking and reasoning skills.
- Using open-ended questions that require children to explain and unpick their understanding.
- Providing effective ‘in the moment’ feedback, including live marking.
- Book scrutinies to evaluate the range and balance of work and to ensure that tasks meet the needs of learners.
Each child’s attainment and progress in science is reported to parents in the end of year report.