Science
Intent
The national curriculum for science aims 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 science enquiries that help them to answer scientific questions about the world around them
? are equipped with the scientific skills required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future.
At St Anne’s Fulshaw, we encourage children to be inquisitive throughout their time at the school and beyond. Throughout the programmes of study, the children will acquire and develop the key knowledge that has been identified within each unit. To ensure coverage and progression of all units we have a 3-year rolling programme. The key knowledge, identified by unit, is informed by the national curriculum and builds towards identified phase ‘end points’ in accordance with NC expectations. Key skills are also mapped for each unit and are progressive throughout the school. These too ensure systematic progression to identified skills end points which are in accordance with the ‘Working Scientifically’ skills expectations of the national curriculum.
Our rolling programme is designed to ensure that children are able to acquire key scientific knowledge through practical experiences; using equipment, conducting experiments, building arguments and explaining concepts confidently. The school’s approach to science takes account of the school’s own context, ensuring access to people with specialist expertise and places of scientific interest as part of the school’s commitment to learning outside the classroom. Children are encouraged to ask questions and be curious about their surroundings and a love of science is nurtured through the school’s ethos and a varied science curriculum.
Implementation
At St Anne’s Fulshaw, to ensure high standards of teaching and learning in science, we implement a curriculum that is progressive throughout the school, ensuring full coverage of the national curriculum programmes of study for Science and Understanding the World in the Early Years Foundation Stage. We operate a 3-year cycle in Years 1, 2 & 3 and in Years 4, 5 & 6. At the start of each topic, teachers take time to find out what our children already understand and what they want to find out. We include the use of technology, wherever appropriate, to aid teaching and learning.
We use the whole school science scheme of work from PlanBee but also supplement this with other resources, if required, to support our delivery of the national curriculum. Through teacher modelling and planned questioning, we want our children to wonder about, and be amazed and surprised by the world around them. Key scientific language is explicitly taught throughout lessons, enabling children to be familiar with and use vocabulary accurately. We also aim to plan in trips and visitors to enhance our children’s learning experience, where this is possible. Children are assessed against the EYFS and NC statements. Children will have covered all elements of the 3 year curriculum map at the end of each planning cycle.
Impact
Our curriculum is designed so that children leave our school with an enquiring mind for the world around them and with a bank of scientific enquiry skills, alongside key elements of knowledge and understanding, in order to prepare them for their scientific journey at secondary school and beyond. 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. Children learn the possibilities for careers in science through our community links and connection with national agencies including the STEM association. They learn from and work with professionals, ensuring access to positive role models within the field of science from the immediate and wider local community. From this exposure to a range of different scientists from various backgrounds, all children feel they are scientists and capable of achieving.
