Science

Intent

The 2014 National Curriculum for Science aims to ensure that all children:

• develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics
• develop understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through different types of science enquiries that help them to answer scientific questions about the world around them
• are equipped with the scientific skills required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future.

At Burston & Tivetshall Primary Schools, we want our children to be inquisitive, to take risks and be adventurous to explore to find the answers.  

We want our children to grow up respecting and caring for their local, national and global environments as well as fostering a curiosity in the universe.

We strongly believe that science is routed in the acquisition of knowledge and its application through scientific skills.  The National Curriculum Science Programme of Study outlines what knowledge children will acquire and develop throughout their Primary years.

We passionately believe that not only should children have a sound knowledge and understanding of the concepts covered in the National Curriculum but also that the Working Scientifically skills are built-on and developed throughout their school career so that they can use equipment, conduct experiments, build arguments, and explain concepts confidently and continue to ask questions about their surroundings. 

At our schools, we want our children to be aspirational, knowing that they can leave their mark on our world as environmentalists, inventors or even astronauts.

Implementation

Teachers create a positive attitude to science learning within their classrooms and reinforce an expectation that all children can achieve high standards in science. Our whole school approach to the teaching and learning of science involves the following.

• Mixed year group classes, mean KS1 has a 2 year rolling programme and KS2 a 4 year rolling programme. During the children's time in these classes they will be taught all areas of the Science National Curriculum sequentially. For example, Cycle in KS1 teaches all of Year 1 and 2 content for animals includnig humans and also plants, leaving materials and living things or cycle B.
• The seasons unit of work for KS1, is taught in 3 parts throughout the year to  ensure that teachers can take advantage of changes to the world around them. 
• All teachers planning starts with The Association for Science Education’s PLAN and Assessment resources which support teachers to identify prior learning, misconceptions, and key learning objectives. 
• Teachers break these key learning objectives into a sequence lesson, paying careful attention to how to pair substantive knowledge with disciplinary 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, often involving high-quality resources to aid understanding of conceptual knowledge. Teachers use precise questioning in class to test conceptual knowledge and scientific skills, which are outline in the Working Scientifically criteria.
• Teachers demonstrate how to use scientific equipment, and the various Working Scientifically skills to embed scientific understanding.
• Teachers find opportunities to develop children’s understanding of their surroundings by accessing outdoor learning and workshops with experts.

Impact

At our schools:

• Science is assessed through plenaries, quizzes, end of unit tests and science investigations.
• School leaders and subject leaders carry out regular work scrutiny and moderation across Sapientia Education Trust.