Science

Intent

To provide a high-quality science curriculum that provides the foundations for understanding the world through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. Pupils will be taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science. Through building up a body of key foundational knowledge and concepts, pupils will be encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. They will be encouraged to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes.

Implementation

Teaching Approach:

• Learning begins with an engaging hook and links are made to prior learning to capture students' interest and reinforce the ‘sticky knowledge’ that we want all children to know and remember.
• Concepts are mapped to show progression.
• Each lesson starts with a retrieval quiz: questions from the previous year, topic, and lesson.
• Teachers adapt their delivery and planning so that all pupils can access the learning. 

Lesson Structure:

• Introduce the overarching key enquiry question
• Learning focus is shared with the class.
• Revisit of prior learning through a retrieval task as well as a revisit of key knowledge. The children will complete 3 questions from last year, last topic, last lesson.
• Experiences to explore and investigate the enquiry question are shared with pupils.
• On-going formative assessment will take place in lessons and throughout the sequence.

Impact

Pupils will...

• 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 knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future.

Assessment

The assessment process for children involves several key components. At the beginning of each lesson, students engage in evidence informed retrieval practice tasks to reinforce substantive knowledge. On-going formative assessments also inform next steps and build on foundational and new knowledge. Pupils will also be assessed through on-going observations and how they work like a Scientist e.g. planning investigations, analysing data, using terminology accurately to describe processes and concepts

Pupil voice is also utilised to assess how well pupils can articulate their learning from the work completed in their books and the connections they make to prior learning.

Importance of Cultural Capital

Cultural capital is essential, especially given our rural location. Understanding the wider world is a key driver for our curriculum. We make every effort to organise trips, speakers to the school and workshops so that children experience life in all its fullness. Diversity is one of our curriculum drivers, we ensure that our pupils receive a curriculum that understands and celebrates differences.

For a detailed overview of our Science Curriculum please explore the documents below.