Intent, Implementation and Impact of our Science Curriculum
Intent
At Hanslope Primary School, we encourage all children to be inquisitive about the world around them and to develop an enthusiasm for, and enjoyment of, scientific learning and discovery. Our Science curriculum fosters a healthy curiosity in children about the world we live in, encourages respect for all living organisms, as well as the physical environment, and provides opportunities for experimentation and critical analysis of evidence. We aim to develop the Science Capital of our pupils by providing opportunities for enrichment including: use of our local environment (our conservation area, the village of Hanslope and the immediate area including Salcey Forest), trips, visitors, exposure to different careers through assemblies / outside speakers, involvement of parents in science related activities, clubs, participation in national events/competitions.
Our programme of study aims to increase pupils’ understanding and knowledge of the different scientific disciplines including biology, chemistry and physics as well as ensuring that they learn to work scientifically. 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. By the end of the course of study pupils will:
Be encouraged to see themselves as scientists in the making.
Know out about some key British scientists and where possible have had the opportunity to meet current or ex scientists in order to increase their aspiration.
Understand that science learning can prepare them for many different careers.
Be able to ask questions and find answers via research using secondary sources and investigation through different types of scientific enquiries.
Understand that science doesn’t have all the answers and that sometimes discoveries come through trial and error.
Be equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science and discovery today and in the future.
Develop respect for the materials and equipment that they handle in order to keep themselves and other children safe.
Use increasingly sophisticated measures and equipment appropriately to gather and record data.
Understand the basis of a fair test and decide when this is necessary.
Make predictions using scientific knowledge learned or by analysing the results of their investigations.
Independently present their own scientific findings and be able to link these findings to the key concepts they have learned in order to show their deepening scientific understanding.
Make links with their mathematical skills in order to collect, record and analyse data using ICT, diagrams, charts and graphs in an age appropriate manner.
Have been given the opportunity to take their learning outside, both in the school grounds and the local community.
The National Curriculum will provide a structure and skill development for the science curriculum being taught throughout the school, which is now linked, where possible to the theme topics to provide a creative scheme of work, which reflects a balanced programme of study.
Children have weekly lessons, where possible, in Science throughout Key Stage 1 and 2, using various programmes of study and resources. In Foundation, science is taught through the children learning about the world around them and in their learning through play.
Implementation
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 will be taught in planned and arranged blocks; in each year group, where possible, units are placed into topics where links can be made. This is a strategy to enable the achievement of a greater depth of knowledge.
Through our planning, we involve problem solving opportunities that allow children to find out for themselves. 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 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, so that all children make progress.
We build upon the learning and skill development of the previous years. As the children’s knowledge and understanding increases, and they become more proficient in selecting, using scientific equipment, collating and interpreting results, they become increasingly confident in their growing ability to come to conclusions based on real evidence.
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. Teachers find opportunities to develop children’s understanding of their surroundings by accessing outdoor learning and workshops with experts.
Children are offered a wide range of extra-curricular activities, visits, trips and visitors to complement and broaden the curriculum. These are purposeful and link with the knowledge being taught in class.
Regular events, such as Science Week or project days, allow all pupils to come off-timetable, to provide broader provision and the acquisition and application of knowledge and skills. These events often involve families and the wider community.
Impact
The successful approach at Hanslope Primary School results in a fun, engaging, high-quality science education, that provides children with the foundations and knowledge for understanding the world. Our engagement with the local environment ensures that children learn through varied and first-hand experiences of the world around them. Frequent, continuous and progressive learning outside the classroom is embedded throughout the science curriculum.
Through various workshops, trips and interactions with experts, children develop the understanding that science has changed our lives and that it is vital to the world’s future prosperity. Children learn the possibilities for careers in science and are encouraged to pursue their own interests and aspirations in this field. With encouragement and careful provision of opportunities for experimentation and discovery, all children feel they are scientists and capable of achieving.
Children at Hanslope overwhelmingly enjoy science and this results in motivated learners with sound scientific understanding. They are able to talk about their scientific learning and do so with a passion; many children will continue their learning outside of school in order to satisfy their own curiosity and this extracurricular commitment is celebrated by staff and classmates.
Subject Leader: Mrs Anya Ramsden