Science

In science our children develop a sense of curiosity and excitement about the world around them.In EYFS children study science in a variety of exciting topics which put science into context, including themes such as All about me, where children learn all about parts of the body, their senses and about keeping healthy. In KS1 and KS2 biology related topics include living things and their habitats, evolution and inheritance and animals including humans. Chemistry related topics include properties and changes in materials. Physics oriented topics include forces, light, electricity, Earth and space.Throughout their science topics, our children are encouraged to understand how science can be used to explain what is happening, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes. Scaffolding the learning from the classroom to the field and back to the classroom generates memorable, comprehensive and long term learning. The children share their findings, working to become effective communicators of scientific ideas, facts and data.

‘A high-quality science education provides the foundations for understanding the world through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics’ National Curriculum 2014

At St Lawrence Primary our intent is:

To develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding
To 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
To help pupils be equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future

Implementation:

In ensuring high standards of teaching and learning in science, we implement a curriculum that is progressive throughout the whole school.

Science is taught following the Cornerstones Curriculum through Year group topics. However sometimes Science is taught as discrete units and lessons if they don't fit the topic. This ensures progression between year groups and guarantees topics are covered. We ensure that all children are provided with rich learning experiences that aim to:

Prepare our children for life in an increasingly scientific and technological world today and in the future.
Help our children acquire a growing understanding of the nature, processes and methods of scientific ideas.
Help develop and extend our children’s scientific concept of their world.
Build on our children’s natural curiosity and developing a scientific approach to problems.
Encouraging open-mindedness, self-assessment, perseverance and developing the skills of 3 investigation – including: observing, measuring, predicting, hypothesising, experimenting, communicating, interpreting, explaining and evaluating.
Develop the use of scientific language, recording and techniques.
Make links between science and other subjects.

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 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.

Progression:

Progression of Science skills and knowledge KS1

Progression of Science skills and knowledge KS2