Science
Intent:
Our Science Curriculum, which is supported by the Hamilton Trust scheme of work, gives all children a strong understanding of the world around them whilst acquiring specific skills and knowledge to enable them to ‘work scientifically’. We want our children to be naturally curious learners and to subsequently channel this curiosity into thinking of their own scientific questions. Our stimulating, engaging and challenging learning environment provides our children with opportunities to develop their scientific enquiry skills within all topics studied.
We aim to ensure that all pupils:
- develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics.
- develop understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through different types of scientific enquiries that help them to answer scientific questions about the world around them.
- are equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future.
- are encouraged to become independent scientists and take the lead in planning investigations for their own scientific based questions. They will be encouraged to plan their own experiments whilst managing any risks associated with their methods.
- have a broad scientific vocabulary. Scientific language is taught and built upon as topics are revisited in different year groups and across key stages.
- understand how science is closely related to the other disciplines within STEM.
- are inspired by the work of past and present scientists. Studying the work of a range of scientists will give our children an insight into the many paths available to them for their future careers.
Implementation:
Science at Sessay is taught through a discrete weekly lesson and is reinforced through cross-curricular activities at every opportunity.
In the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), teaching is planned through adult supported teaching and learning. Weekly opportunities to informally develop children’s understanding of the world through child-initiated activities and routines are capitalised upon.
In Key Stage 1 (KS1) and 2 (KS2) knowledge and understanding is informed by the National Curriculum and builds progressively throughout. Key skills are mapped for each year group which are in accordance with the Working Scientifically skills expectations of the National Curriculum. The curriculum is designed to ensure that children are able to acquire key scientific knowledge through practical experiences and develop the skills required to allow them to use equipment confidently, conduct experiments with aptitude, explain scientific concepts confidently and debate the most appropriate way to tackle problems and to test out ideas.
Working scientifically and scientific enquiry skills are integrally taught within all lessons and are introduced to our youngest children in the Early Years Foundation Stage so that these important skills are embedded at an early age.
Our teaching and learning support our curriculum by ensuring that lessons build on prior learning and provide opportunities for guided and independent practice. At the start of each topic, teachers take time to link back to previous learning to find out what the children already understand. This is then used as the foundations for future lessons to ensure progression in the children’s knowledge and scientific enquiry skills.
Teachers create a positive attitude to science learning within their classrooms and reinforce an expectation that all pupils are capable of achieving high standards in science. Children are introduced to each science unit with knowledge which focus on key learning, concepts, vocabulary and scientists, both past and present, in their fields such as Darwin, Edison, Curie and Newton.
Children are encouraged to ask their own questions and be given opportunities to use their scientific skills and research to discover the answers. Scientific vocabulary is modelled throughout lessons enabling our children to be familiar with and use vocabulary accurately. To support the well-structured and progressive curriculum, the school makes use of a range of engaging resources such as those provided by Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). We are committed to outdoor learning and offer a range of practical, outdoor learning experiences including lessons at our Forest Schools.
Science curriculum days, which coincide with British Science Week, ensure that the children’s knowledge is put into context and enriched. School trips and visitors into school give children opportunities to explore concepts in more depth and access expert knowledge.
Teachers use precise questioning in class to test conceptual knowledge and skills, and assess pupils regularly to identify those children with gaps in learning, so that all pupils keep up. Tasks are selected and designed to provide appropriate challenge to all learners, in line with the school’s commitment to inclusion.
At the heart of science teaching at Sessay is our commitment to practical, explorative and investigative learning. We believe in a hands-on approach where children learn by doing it for themselves. This approach encourages our children to build resilience and become creative, critical thinkers.
Impact:
At Sessay our high quality science curriculum is fun and engaging to provide all learners with the foundations they require to better their understanding of the world around them. Through carefully planned activities and first- hand experiences, children at Sessay develop a love of science and speak enthusiastically about their learning using appropriate scientific vocabulary. Children retain prior learning and make connections between what they have previously learned and what they are currently learning. They are confident to raise their own scientific questions and, armed with their working scientifically skills and knowledge of the different enquiry types, they become increasingly independent in completing pupil led investigations. Through various workshops, trips and interactions with experts, children have the understanding that science has changed our lives and that it is vital to the world’s future prosperity.
Through this curriculum our children have the tools and knowledge to create high aspirations for their future study, careers and adult life.
