Science
Intent
The 2014 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 knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future.
At Burnley Road Academy, Science education should be inclusive to every child. Children are encouraged to be inquisitive throughout their time at school and beyond. The high-quality Science curriculum fosters a healthy curiosity and excitement in children about our universe and promotes respect for the living and the non-living. Throughout the programmes of study, the children acquire and develop the key knowledge that has been identified within each unit and across each year group, as well as the application of scientific skills. We ensure that the Working Scientifically skills are built-on and developed throughout children’s time at school so that they can apply their knowledge of science when using equipment , conducting experiments, building arguments and explaining concepts confidently and continue to ask questions and be curious about their surroundings.
Our whole school core values are promoted through Science. Children show courage and develop skills of perseverance and teamwork when facing challenges and working scientifically. Compassion is developed when studying living things.
Implementation
Teachers create a positive attitude to science learning within their classrooms and reinforce an expectation that all pupils are capable of achieving high standards in science. Our whole school approach to the teaching and learning of science involves the following:
Science will be taught in planned topic blocks with teachers using the school’s long-term plan, which takes into account the sequence of knowledge and concepts stated in the National Curriculum. Knowledge Organisers have been developed and are used to sequence the knowledge and skill development and set out key vocabulary for the children to learn.
- Teachers plan using the Knowledge Organisers and a variety of resources.
- We build upon the knowledge and skill development of previous years.
- Working Scientifically skills are embedded into lessons to ensure these skills are being developed throughout the children’s school career and challenging concepts are introduced through direct teaching.
- Children’s learning is recorded in personal science books.
- When possible, children are offered a range of extra- curricular activities, visits, visitors and Forest School to complement and broaden the curriculum. These are purposeful and link with the knowledge being taught in class.
- Events such as Science Week provide broader provision and the acquisition and application of knowledge and skills.
- We value cross-curricular links when used effectively in the teaching and learning of all subjects involved.
Impact
Through the teaching of Science, children gain and develop a knowledge and awareness of the world around them.
By the end of each key stage children are expected to know, apply and understand the knowledge, skills and processes as set out in the National Curriculum. These are set out as statutory requirements. We also draw upon the non- statutory requirements to extend our children and provide an appropriate level of challenge.
We measure the impact of our Science curriculum against the expectation of curriculum intent through the following methods:
- Summative assessment of pupil discussions about their learning.
- Use of Rising Star assessments to support work in class.
- Interviewing the pupils about their learning (pupil voice).
- Marking of written work in books.
- Images and videos of the children’s practical learning.
- Book scrutinies at moderation staff meetings.
- Annual reporting of standards across the curriculum.
Policy, Long Term Plan, Knowledge Mats and Progression in Knowledge
Cultural Capital in Science
Children will gain an understanding of materials, objects and their properties. They will have a knowledge of diverse environments around the world and how materials, matter and objects differ in different environment. Children will learn about testing and how to make a test fair. Their knowledge of science could lead to a wide range of jobs beyond, not just in, science fields.
Children will gain an understanding of plants and trees and the environments they need to flourish. They will develop their understanding of the importance of plants and trees throughout the world and know the effect of global change on these plants and trees.
Children will gain an understanding of what humans need to flourish, how they work and what they need to stay healthy. They will develop their understanding of the importance of the human body and how it functions. This could encourage a career in medicine.
Children will gain an understanding of animals and their habitats. Pupils may demonstrate knowledge of a variety of environments and the animals that live there. They will have a knowledge of diverse environments around the world and know the effect of global change on these environments.
If your child enjoys science check out the following websites for fun activites to try at home.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z2pfb9q
https://www.sciencekids.co.nz/
https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/category/discover/science/
https://www.sciencefun.org/kidszone/experiments/
https://www.ducksters.com/science/
https://wowscience.co.uk/
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/
https://www.stem.org.uk/
These books are great for children that enjoy science.
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