Intent
Most children have a natural curiosity about their world asking "Why?", "How?” and "What will happen if?". The teaching of science builds on this, helping to develop the basic knowledge, skills and understanding the children will need to enable them to cope with a life increasingly influenced by science.
Lakenheath School recognises and values the importance of science and scientific enquiry. Science at Lakenheath School aims to develop a fun, practical and engaging high-quality curriculum providing children with the foundations they need to recognise the importance of science in every aspect of daily life and that also inspires the next generation to succeed and excel in science. We do this through fully adhering to the aims of the national curriculum and fostering a healthy curiosity and interest in the sciences.
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 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 the school so that they can apply their knowledge of science when using equipment, conducting experiments and investigation, building arguments and explaining concepts confidently, being familiar with scientific terminology and, most importantly, to continue to ask questions and be curious about their surroundings.
All children will be provided with a broad and balanced science curriculum, which builds on prior learning and reflects the equality and diversity policies and practice in school
Implementation
The acquisition of key scientific knowledge is an integral part of our science lessons. Linked knowledge organisers enable children to learn and retain the important, useful and powerful vocabulary and knowledge contained within each unit. The progression of skills for working scientifically and scientific enquiry skills are developed within lessons.
At Lakenheath, 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.
Science is taught in a standalone lesson throughout the school, with a subject designated book, however where possible it is thematically linked to the current overriding topic area. Long term planning has been completed as a whole school activity ensuring coverage and progression of the national curriculum requirements during a 2 year rolling programme. Short term and individual lesson are planned by the teaching team in each year group. Cross curricular learning also takes place through the rest of the curriculum, particularly when the overriding topic has a scientific lead. Scientific language, mathematical recording and reading of graphs link areas of the curriculum through themes such as healthy living, (PSHE) exploration (humanities) and our sporting world (PE)."
Science where possible is taught through practical lessons, with investigations taking place in all classes at least once every half term. All children are encouraged to develop their investigative skills by carrying out practical activities so that they can see themselves as scientists. They work in a scientific way: making observations; asking why things are the way they are and what happens when things change; recording and reporting their findings; grouping and classifying; carrying out comparative tests; drawing conclusions. Additionally, children are taught to select and use equipment safely to carry out their own experiments and link their experiences with major scientific ideas. Assessment in key stage 1 is made mainly based on teacher observations as well as learning recorded in the children’s books. Some key stage 2 learning is also assessed with an end of unit test.
Beneficial use is also made of trips and visits, visiting workshops and speakers. This enhances the children learning and enjoyment of the subject.
Impact
The successful approach to the teaching of science at Lakenheath School will result in a fun, engaging, high quality science education that provides children with the foundations for understanding the world that they can take with them once they complete their primary education.
Children at Lakenheath School will be able to articulate their understanding of scientific knowledge and concepts and be able to reason scientifically using language linked to science. Be able to question ideas and reflect on knowledge and work collaboratively and practically to investigate and experiment.