Science

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.

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 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.

Scientific work is based in the following areas.

• Experimental and investigative work (working scientifically)
• Life and living processes (plants; animals, including humans; living things and their habitats; evolution and inheritance)
• Materials (uses; properties; changes)
• Physical processes (seasonal changes; rocks; light; forces and magnets; states of matter; sound; electricity; Earth and space).

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. Where children learn to develop an enquiring approach when faced with new situations and are encouraged to make informed conclusions.

Science is currently taught for the equivalent of two hours per week in upper key stage 2 and one hour in lower key stage 2 and key stage 1.

Science where possible is taught through practical lessons, with investigations taking place in all classes at least once every half term. 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).

Beneficial use is also made of trips and visits, visiting workshops and speakers. This enhances the children learning and enjoyment of the subject. 

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.