Science Curriculum
Science
Intent
What do we want to achieve for our children?
At Chacombe Primary Academy we recognise and value the importance of Science and scientific enquiry. As one of the core subjects, we give the teaching and learning of Science the prominence it requires. Science at Chacombe Primary Academy aims to develop a fun, practical and engaging high quality curriculum that inspires the next generation to succeed and excel in Science. We do this by fostering a healthy curiosity and interest in the sciences. At the heart of our progressive science curriculum is scientific investigation. Wherever possible, we intend to deliver lessons where children learn through varied investigations, leading to them being equipped for life to ask and answer scientific questions. Children are encouraged to respect the world and believe in their own abilities to seek answers to questions about life around them. We believe Science encompasses the acquisition of knowledge, concepts, skills and positive attitudes. Throughout the programmes of study, the children will acquire and develop the key knowledge that has been identified within each unit and across year groups as well as application of scientific skills. Our intention is that children develop their scientific thinking throughout their school life and prior learning is built upon as they move through the school allowing them to make connections. We ensure that through progressive, Working Scientifically skills, children can apply their knowledge of Science when using equipment, conducting experiments, building arguments and explaining concepts confidently. We ensure that children become familiar with scientific terminology, and develop an enthusiasm and enjoyment in science learning by asking questions and developing curious about their surroundings.
At Chacombe Primary Academy we recognise and value the importance of Science and scientific enquiry. As one of the core subjects, we give the teaching and learning of Science the prominence it requires. Science at Chacombe Primary Academy aims to develop a fun, practical and engaging high quality curriculum that inspires the next generation to succeed and excel in Science. We do this by fostering a healthy curiosity and interest in the sciences. At the heart of our progressive science curriculum is scientific investigation. Wherever possible, we intend to deliver lessons where children learn through varied investigations, leading to them being equipped for life to ask and answer scientific questions. Children are encouraged to respect the world and believe in their own abilities to seek answers to questions about life around them. We believe Science encompasses the acquisition of knowledge, concepts, skills and positive attitudes. Throughout the programmes of study, the children will acquire and develop the key knowledge that has been identified within each unit and across year groups as well as application of scientific skills. Our intention is that children develop their scientific thinking throughout their school life and prior learning is built upon as they move through the school allowing them to make connections. We ensure that through progressive, Working Scientifically skills, children can apply their knowledge of Science when using equipment, conducting experiments, building arguments and explaining concepts confidently. We ensure that children become familiar with scientific terminology, and develop an enthusiasm and enjoyment in science learning by asking questions and developing curious about their surroundings.
Implementation
How will we achieve this?
The acquisition of key scientific knowledge is an integral part of our science lessons. The progression of skills for working scientifically are developed through the year groups and scientific enquiry skills are of key importance within lessons.
At Chacombe Primary Academy, teachers create a positive attitude to science learning within their classrooms and reinforce an expectation that all children are capable of achieving high standards in science. Our whole school approach to the teaching and learning of science involves the following;
- Science is mapped out across a cycle of topics to ensure appropriate and best links to topic areas where possible. When this is not possible, discrete Science areas of study are mapped to ensure full cover of subject matter across the Key Stages.
- Science will be taught in planned and arranged in topic blocks by the class teacher. This is a strategy to enable the achievement of a greater depth of knowledge.
- Children are encouraged to ask their own questions and be given opportunities to use their scientific skills and research to discover the answers. This curiosity is celebrated within the classroom. Planning involves teachers creating engaging lessons, often involving high-quality resources to aid understanding of conceptual knowledge. Teachers use precise questioning in class to test conceptual knowledge and skills, and assess children regularly to identify those children with gaps in learning.
- Our curriculum is progressive. We build upon the learning and skill development of the previous years.
- Working Scientifically skills are embedded into lessons to ensure these skills are being developed throughout the children’s school career and new vocabulary and challenging concepts are introduced through direct teaching. This is developed through the years, in-keeping with the topics.
- Teachers demonstrate how to use scientific equipment, and the various Working Scientifically skills in order to embed scientific understanding.
Impact - What will this look like and how will this support my child now and in the future?
The successful approach to the teaching of Science at Chacombe Primary Academy results in a fun, engaging, high-quality science education, that provides children with the foundations of understanding the world that they can take with them once they complete their primary education. Inspired by our school vision we encourage children and prepare them to fulfil dreams and aspirations in the Sciences. Pupil voice is used to further develop the Science curriculum, through questioning of pupil’s views and attitudes towards Science, to assess the children’s enjoyment of Science and to motivate learners