Staveley CE Primary School understands the need for all pupils to develop their Scientific ability as an essential component of all subjects and as a subject in its own right. A good understanding of scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding helps to support pupils’ love of learning across the whole curriculum.
Aims of Science
At Staveley CE Primary School we believe that all pupils should be taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science alongside an understanding of the three key disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. During their journey through a range of experiences, key foundational knowledge and concepts, pupils should develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena and an ability to investigate and explain it rationally. They should be encouraged to understand how Science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes. This will inspire in them a well-informed curiosity about the world beyond their doorstep.
Children are exposed to high quality teaching and learning experiences, which allow children to explore their outdoor environment and locality, thus developing their scientific enquiry, critical thinking skills and investigative skills. They are immersed in scientific vocabulary, which aids children’s knowledge and understanding not only of the topic they are studying, but of the world around them.
We intend to provide all children regardless of ethnic origin, gender, class, aptitude or disability, with a broad and balanced science curriculum.
Our curriculum has been carefully designed to fulfil the statutory requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and National Curriculum. Our Christian vision is at the heart of our curriculum plan and sets out to foster in our children a love of learning. Through our curriculum, our children will journey through a range of experiences and opportunities which will encourage them to develop a love of their local area, the environment around them and foster a curiosity about the world beyond their doorstep. We engage in a wide range of activities within our community in order to encourage our children to be active participants in their own communities in the future.
During their learning journey through school, we want the children to acquire relevant knowledge and develop skills to enable them to be
How is Science taught?
Planning for Science ensures full coverage of the statutory requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and National Curriculum. Where possible, Science is linked to class topics and scientific thinking skills encouraged across the curriculum. Our pupils are problem solvers! Due to mixed year groups in our school, Science units are taught on a rolling programme. This ensures progression between year groups and guarantees topics are covered. Teachers plan to suit their children’s interests, current events, their own teaching style, the use of any support staff and the resources available.
We ensure that all children are provided with rich learning experiences that aim to:
• Prepare our children for life in an increasingly scientific and technological world.
• Help our children acquire a curiosity for and understanding of the nature, processes and methods of scientific ideas.
• Help develop and extend our children’s scientific concept of their world.
• Build on our children’s natural curiosity and developing a scientific approach to investigations as self-regulated learners.
• Encouraging open-mindedness, self-assessment, critical thinking and developing the skills of investigation – including: observing, measuring, predicting, hypothesising, experimenting, communicating, interpreting, explaining and evaluating.
• Develop the use of scientific language, recording and techniques to be good communicators.
• Develop the use of computing in investigating and recording.
• Make links between science and other subjects, including Outdoor learning.
Science is taught consistently, once a week for up to two hours, but is also referred to in different contexts throughout the curriculum. For example, through English, i.e. writing a biography of a famous scientist’s life, World Science Week etc.
What are the outcomes?
We ensure children acquire the appropriate age-related knowledge linked to the science curriculum alongside skills and aspirations to equip them within their everyday lives.
All children will acquire a variety of skills linked to both scientific knowledge and understanding, and scientific enquiry/investigative skills alongside a rich vocabulary and a love of learning.