INTENT:
During science lesson at Knightwood we aim to enthuse our pupils with a love and curiosity about the natural phenomena and events around them. We encourage children to explore confidently in order to develop and deepen their understanding of the world in which they live, explaining what is occurring, predicting how things will behave and analysing causes. They learn to question and discuss science-based issues that may affect their own lives, the directions of society and the future of the world, encouraging and supporting the development of science capital. Our pupils will understand how major scientific ideas and specific scientists in the past have contributed toward societal change – impacting on industry, medicine, business and improving quality of life. By implementing an inclusive, progressive, creative and inspiring curriculum with real-life links, we ensure children have a meaningful conceptual understanding of the essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science. We encourage children to raise their own questions for exploration and develop transferable skills such as observation, communication and teamwork. By working scientifically, through investigations involving planning, testing, recording and analysing results, children come to appreciate the nature of the learning process and its practical application to everyday experiences. We aim for our children to have high aspirations for themselves and teach them about diversity in science including important scientists whose discoveries have impacted on the way we live. The staff at Knightwood ensure that all children are exposed to high quality teaching and learning experiences, which allow them to explore their outdoor environment which is also important for their social and imaginative development. Communication is key and we value the importance of developing spoken language during science lessons. The children are immersed in subject specific language to enable development and confidence in using scientific vocabulary to articulate concepts clearly. Teachers build the children’s foundations securely with discussion to iron out misconceptions. We aim to develop children’s sense of global and local citizenship through understanding the value and importance of making responsible, informed and more sustainable lifestyle choices that minimise our impact on the environment. We do this through embedding our whole school values and providing a creative approach to learning that is rich in making cross-curricular links so that learning is meaningful thus contributing to a lasting, positive behavioural change.
IMPLEMENTATION:
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 through the Whiterose Scheme of Work involves adapting and extending the curriculum to match all pupils’ needs. Where possible, science is linked to class topics. Science is taught as discrete units and lessons where needed to ensure coverage. Children are encouraged to ask their own questions and be given opportunities to use their scientific skills and research to discover the answers. This curiosity is celebrated within the classroom. Planning involves teachers creating engaging lessons, often involving high-quality resources to aid understanding of conceptual knowledge. We provide varied and differentiated ways for pupils to record the outcomes. Tasks are selected and designed to provide an appropriate challenge to all learners, in line with the school’s commitment to inclusion.
Each unit is taught in a block and cross-curricular links made where appropriate.
Working scientifically skills are embedded into all lessons to ensure that skills are systematically developed throughout the children’s school career and new vocabulary and challenging concepts are introduced through direct teaching. We build upon the knowledge and skill development of the previous year, using our skills progression grids.
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 scientific 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 engagement with the local environment ensures that children learn through varied and first-hand experiences of the world around them. Children at our school overwhelmingly enjoy science and this results in motivated learners with sound scientific understanding. Our pupils are learning that Science in its many forms is vital to the world’s future prosperity and know and believe that they play a significant part in this future. More children leave Knightwood Primary School having achieved the Age Related Expectation in Science than do nationally.