Science – curriculum information

At New Pastures Primary School we aim for our curriculum to be engaging, purposeful and fully inclusive to every child.

We fulfil the requirements of the National Curriculum for Science, providing a broad, balanced and differentiated curriculum and endeavour to link science to class topics whenever possible. Where this is not possible science is taught as a discrete subject.

As our world is rapidly evolving we recognise the importance of science as a vital part of our curriculum.

Intent

• We aim to link science to our wider curriculum which helps our pupils to make connections and to fully immerse themselves in their learning.
• To stimulate and excite pupils` curiosity about events in the world around them and satisfy this with knowledge.
• To follow an enquiry-based curriculum which serves as the stimulus for lessons.
• To engage and excite learners by linking direct practical and personal experiences with ideas.
• To develop and evaluate explanations through investigations and practical experiments.
• To encourage our pupils to question and discuss science-based issues that may affect their own lives, the society they live in and the future of the world.
• To develop scientific skills.
• In Key Stage 1 pupils will observe, explore and ask questions about living things, materials and physical phenomena.
• In Key Stage 2 pupils will build upon the scientific knowledge gained in Key Stage 1, learning about a wider range of living things, habitats, materials and physical phenomena.

Implementation

• Out of school visits and visitors are often used as hooks to engage our children – e.g. visits to the national space centre.
• Where possible science is used as a stimulus for reading and writing activities, providing purposeful writing opportunities and allowing children to write for a real purpose and audience. This engages and excites our learners.
• Pupils will use a range of reference materials to find out more about scientific ideas and help them answer questions. In lessons they begin to evaluate evidence and consider whether tests or comparisons are fair. They share ideas and communicate them using scientific vocabulary, explanations, drawings, charts and tables with the help of ICT if it is appropriate.
• Pupils are encouraged to work scientifically, investigate key questions, ask questions, make links between ideas and explain things using simple models and theories. During investigations they apply their knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas and present it in a variety of ways. Pupils are encouraged to think about the effects of scientific and technological developments on the environment and in other contexts. They make suitable predictions and carry out more systematic investigations, working on their own and with others.
• In KS2 a 2-year rolling programme is taught across lower and upper key stage two to ensure all units are covered. In lower key stage two, during Year A, all year 4 science units are taught and in Year B, all Y3 science units are taught. In upper key stage two, during Year A, all Y6 science units are taught and in Year B, Y5 science units are taught.
• In KS1, classes are taught in whole year groups – year one follow the year one science curriculum and year two follow the year two science curriculum.
• In Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 teaching is carried out under topic headings using a Learning Challenge / cross curricular approach. Science is mainly taught through cross curricular links with other subjects, although Science lessons may stand alone if the Science to be taught does not link to the text led topic.
• At New Pastures special consideration is given to planning for mixed-age classes. For this reason, we follow a two-year programme in key stage two.
• All classes plan for progression in science skills and knowledge and use a progression document to ensure children are developing their understanding.

Impact

• Through our cross-curricular approach children will have a richer vocabulary which will enable them to articulate their understanding of taught topics.
• Children enjoy and are enthusiastic about science. At the end of the academic year most children will achieve age related expectations in science.
• Children are taught a range of topics and there is evidence of the curriculum coverage for all science topics. Pupils’ will acquire the appropriate age-related knowledge linked to the science curriculum as well as skills which help them to equip them within their everyday life.
• Our Science Curriculum is high quality, well thought out and is planned to demonstrate progression. There is a clear progression of children’s work and teacher’s expectations.
• Our pupils’ will be able to work collaboratively and practically to investigate and experiment. Throughout their time at New Pastures children will be able to ask scientific questions and explain their understanding of concepts.