Science Curriculum

Intent

Curiosity, wonder, humour and even disgust are emotions that build engagement in science.  Science has changed the world in which we live and is also vital for our futures.

At Redwell Primary School, we believe that effective science teaching and learning is vital to ensure our children become scientifically literate adults who are equipped to cope in a world increasingly shaped by science and technology.  Children should be knowledgeable about the world around them and our impact upon it.  We believe that effective primary science education encourages curiosity, exploration and the chance for the children to become the questioner. Children should have the opportunity to think both scientifically and creatively, developing enquiring minds, thinking skills and the ability to make choices, form their own opinions and work collaboratively.

Our aims to Redwell Primary School ensure that all pupils:

• develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics.
• develop an understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through different types of scientific enquiries.
• are equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses of science today and for the future.

Redwell Primary School shares its Principles of Science with the Engaging Science scheme of work:

• Science is best taught through practical sessions and investigation
• Pupils should be encouraged to think both scientifically and creatively
• Science should take advantage of the many opportunities the outdoor environment offers to learnscience in context
• The teaching of science should be rigorous and ensure that pupils of all abilities make progress
• Assessment in science should be based on what pupils demonstrate they can do in lessons rather than on tests.

Through our science lessons, we teach the skills linked with ‘Working Scientifically’ which include: pattern seeking, identifying, classifying, grouping and comparative and fair testing, research, observing over time and problem solving.  Our pupils are encouraged to solve problems and to seek answers through analysing, collecting and presenting in a variety of ways, all of which will then be built upon and developed in Key Stage 3 and beyond.

At Redwell Primary School, we explore science in a number of ways: lessons, science days, visitors and workshops.  We are always looking for new ways to inspire a passion for science across our school.

Implementation 

• Across Years 1-6, Science is taught in explicit units, in line with the National Curriculum and the Engaging Science scheme of work, which covers both the working scientifically skills and the science knowledge expected for each Year group. Staff use resources linked with the engaging science scheme or create their own resources to match the objectives as well as their children’s interests and abilities. Investigative activities are planned for regularly and the children work in either small groups or as a whole class to complete these.
• Every year group will build upon the learning from prior year groups therefore developing depth of understanding and progression of skills.
• Children explore, question, predict, plan, carry out investigations and observations as well as conclude their findings.
• Children present their findings and learning using science specific language, observations and diagrams. We encourage the children to present their science knowledge through the use of ‘Double page spreads’.
• In order to support children in their ability to ‘know more and remember more’ there are regular opportunities to retrieve the learning that took place in previous topics as well as previous lessons. Mini quizzes, tell me what you know, sort the correct facts are all examples of how this is carried out.
• At the start of each unit children will carry out a KWL, allowing them to share what they know about a given topic and what they would like to know through questioning. MTP and individual lessons are then adapted in light of this to ensure they are planning for the needs of the class. KWL grids are then revisited at the end of a unit to give the children the opportunity to share what they have learnt and self-assess against the key objectives covered.
• During each unit, scientists and careers are explored allowing opportunities for children to see themselves as scientists and encourage them into a future STEM career.
• Key vocabulary is identified for each unit of work and displayed on the science wall in each classroom. Staff plan for science vocabulary to be delivered prior to lesson using the ‘Pre-teach’ method. This vocabulary is regularly referred to during lessons to ensure the children have a clear understanding. 
• Teachers use highly effective assessment for learning in each lesson to ensure misconceptions are highlighted and addressed.
• Effective modelling by teachers ensures that children are able to achieve their learning intention, with misconceptions addressed within it.
• Through using a range of assessment tools, differentiation is facilitated by teachers, to ensure that each pupil can access the Science curriculum.
• Children are given clear success criteriain order to achieve the learning intention with differing elements of independence.
• Pupils are regularly given the opportunity for self or peer assessment, which will then be used to inform planning, preparation, differentiation and address misconceptions within that lesson, or for the next lesson.
• Our Core Subject Assessment Tracker (Arbor) allows us to use data to inform future practice.

Threshold Concepts: 

Working scientifically

This concept involves learning the methodologies of the discipline of science.

Biology

• Understand Plants

This concept involves becoming familiar with different types of plants, their structure and reproduction.

• Understand animals and humans

This concept involves becoming familiar with different types of animals, humans and the life processes they share.

• Investigate living things

This concept involves becoming familiar with a wider range of living things, including insects and understanding life processes.

• Understand evolution and inheritance

This concept involves understanding that organisms come into existence, adapt, change and evolve and become extinct.

Chemistry

• Investigate materials

This concept involves becoming familiar with a range of materials, their properties, uses and how they may be altered or changed.

Physics

• Understand movement, forces and magnets

This concept involves understanding what causes motion.

• Understand the Earth’s movement in space

This concept involves understanding what causes seasonal changes, day and night.

• Investigate light and seeing

This concept involves understanding how light and reflection affect sight.

• Investigate sound and hearing

This concept involves understanding how sound is produced, how it travels and how it is heard.

• Understand electrical circuits

This concept involves understanding circuits and their role in electrical applications.

EYFS

The Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum supports children’s understanding of Science through the planning and teaching of ‘Understanding the World.’  Children find out about objects, materials and living things using all of their senses.  The children are encouraged to ask questions about why things happen and how things work by exploring the natural environment around them.  Our children enjoy spending time outdoors, where they investigate minibeasts and their habitats, observe plants and animals and actively witness the changing seasons.  We encourage curious minds in all of our children and EYFS really embeds this mindset from the get go.

Impact

The impact for the learners in Science at Redwell Primary will be that all pupils, considering their individual starting point, will make outstanding progress over time, through the delivery of an engaging, interactive and high-quality curriculum.  Children will therefore be expected to leave Redwell Primary reaching at least age-related expectations for science.  Through various methods of teaching, workshops and interactions with experts, our Science Curriculum will lead pupils to be enthusiastic Science learners.  Children will also learn the possibilities of careers in science as a result of our focused STEM days and community links.  We view pupil voice as vital to allow further development of the science curriculum, support the children’s enjoyment of science and to motivate learners.  Pupil voice also evidences confident learners who are able to describe what they have learnt using subject specific vocabulary.

Science Ambassadors act as the ‘expert’ scientist in each class, they look at how we could improve science at Redwell and bring these ideas to life. Additionally, we hope to get involved in science competitions and find new and exciting ways to communicate with parents and the community about any developments we make.

Progression Map