Science
Intent
The 2014 National Curriculum for Science aims to ensure that all children:
- develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics
- develop an 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 skills required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future. We understand that it is important for lessons to have a skills-based focus, and that knowledge can be taught through this.
At Discovery Primary Academy, we encourage children to be inquisitive throughout their time at the academy. The science curriculum inspires a healthy curiosity in children about our universe and promotes respect for the environment. We believe Science should promote the acquisition of knowledge, concepts, skills and scientific vocabulary through the key knowledge that has been identified within each unit and across each year group. Throughout our academy, children are encouraged to develop and use a range of working scientific skills, including questioning, researching and observing for themselves. We ensure our Science Curriculum builds and develops both knowledge and scientific skills from EYFS – Year 6.
Implementation
To ensure high standards of teaching and learning in Science, we implement a curriculum that is progressive throughout the academy and builds on prior knowledge. Planning for science is a process in which all teachers ensure that the academy gives full coverage of the 2014 National Curriculum programmes of study for Science and Understanding of the World in the Early Years Foundation Stage.
Science is taught in planned and arranged topic blocks. This is a strategy to enable the achievement of a greater depth of knowledge. At the start of each topic, teachers take time to review prior knowledge either from the previous topic or year groups. This allows our teachers to identify any misconceptions that the children may have and adapt the learning where necessary. Knowledge organisers are displayed from previous units that have been taught to support the review of knowledge. Our activities are tailored to support the needs of all children, including those with SEND, EAL and those who are greater depth.
A key part of all lessons is vocabulary. Key scientific language is modelled throughout lessons, enabling our children to be familiar with and use vocabulary accurately. Links to scientific skills are explicit and children are shown which aspects they are going to be working on during a lesson. Symbols are used to support this to make the learning visual.
Impact
Our Science Curriculum is high quality, well-thought-out and is planned to demonstrate and ensure the progression of knowledge, concepts and skills. Therefore, providing children with the foundations and knowledge for understanding the world around them. We provide children with first-hand experiences to develop their cultural capital. We promote high expectations and positive role models within the field of science through inviting professionals into the academy. This exposure allows children to feel that they are scientists and capable of achieving. Within lessons, children will work collaboratively and practically to investigate and experiment. Children at Discovery Primary Academy overwhelmingly enjoy science and this results in motivated learners with sound scientific understanding.
By the time pupils leave the academy at the end of Year 6, it is our intention that they will have secure scientific skills and understanding and a good grasp of five key concepts:
- Cause and Effect
- Similarity and Difference
- Change
- Structure and Functions
- Systems
Children’s progress is monitored through a variety of in-class questioning, end-of-unit assessment tasks (posters, quizzes and presentations), bookwork, practical investigations and pupil voice.