Science

Vision:

Science teaching at Grateley Primary school aims to engage our children and support their inquisitive nature from Reception through to Year 6 through deliberate strategic planning and delivery.

We will often plan a unit of Science through a hook like a visit or trip or through a rich text so that children are engaged in the learning. 

Children are encouraged to think about their own understanding of the world, to ask questions and to explore ways in which these questions can be answered through investigation in an engaging way. Children are taught how to make predictions, plan investigations, keep tests fair, use equipment safely, measure and record their results, draw conclusions and present their results. Scientific enquiry skills are rooted into each half term and are further embedded throughout the primary school journey. Children are able to build upon prior knowledge and deepen their scientific abilities to become independent learners, exploring possible answers for their scientific based questions and investigations. Specialist vocabulary for science units are taught and built up, and effective questioning to communicate ideas is encouraged. On top of this links are forged and encouraged within the wider curriculum, to further ferment scientific knowledge and skills into long term memory.

The curriculum is in constant review to allow for deeper knowledge and changes to be applied to ensure children’s engagement and learning in science is at the forefront and continues to evoke a drive of curiosity and excitement. A key focus at Grateley through high quality inclusive practise is introducing and explicitly teaching appropriate vocabulary.

Elon Musk, ‘It is important to view knowledge as sort of a semantic tree- make sure you understand the fundamental principles, i.e the trunk and big branches, before you get into the leaves/details of there is nothing for them to hang onto.’

Intent:

The Science curriculum meets the Statutory Guidance from Year 1-6.

 The Science curriculum is planned with the Essential Knowledge taught across the years groups and meets the key end points of the National Curriuclum. 

The Grateley Values are taught through the opportunity to learn about key components in Science, teachers give children the opportunity to challenge themselves and respect the world around them. 

Longitudinal Studies take place within the school grounds and the children learn about land, growth and can observe and record their findings and link to the school community.

Implementation:

Early Years

Science in the EYFS is taught through Discovery Time. This links to the Grateley EYFS Aspirations and the children’s interests alongside seasonal changes. The outside area is used daily and is seen as a fantastic resource to deliver much of the science curriculum.

A key area focussed on during the Early Years is the development of vocabulary. It is a focus through our aspirations through the children being curious explorers.

Key Stage 1

The KS1 curriculum is based on the key Ideas which are taken from the programmes of study in the National Curriculum

All children complete a longitudinal study which asks a question and requires the children to study an area of the school grounds over the school year. Having completed this study the children will have learnt about seasonal changes and how they affect the plants and animals that live there. 

In KS1 Science is taught every week for 1 hours and the units of Science are planned through the Long Term Overviews. 

Key Stage 2: 

The KS2 curriculum is based on the key ideas which are taken from the programmes of study in the National Curriculum

All children complete a longitudinal study which asks a question and requires the children to study an area of learning over the school year.

In KS2 Science is taught every week for 1 hours and the units of Science are planned through the Long Term Overviews. 

Forest School:

We are introducing Forest School this year. Part of the reason is that Forest School plays an important part in the children’s understanding of the natural world. Through observing and playing in the outside environment, children understand the effects of the changing of the seasons as well as understanding sustainability whilst identifying natural flora and fauna.  Children learn about habitats whilst fostering a sense of natural curiosity which can be applied back in the classroom. 

Impact:

Through the teaching of science and the exposure to how it affects our daily lives, we aim for children to develop an enquiring mind and a sense of wonder about the world in which we live.  

  Please see the attached Science progression overviews.