Statement of Intent
Science has shaped and informed the world we live in today and will continue to do so; therefore it is a vital subject not just for the enjoyment and challenges it offers but also for its contribution to life and future economic prosperity. Children are born with a natural curiosity about the world around them and when they first begin to speak they frequently question things and ask “why?”
Within science pupils are encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and continue to develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. Alongside this, they will build up a body of key foundational scientific knowledge, passions and concepts, providing the foundations for understanding the world.
In line with our ‘science principles’, it is our intent to provide accessible, inspiring and enriched learning opportunities for every child to fully maximise their scientific ability and potential. Pupils will understand the importance of developing both their substantive (facts) and disciplinary (skills) knowledge and be able to make rich and meaningful application to other curriculum areas as well as the wider world. Our science curriculum encourages all children to enquire, engage and understand the world around them.
Our aims are to:
- Develop pupils’ scientific vocabulary,
- Support children’s curiosity by developing their enquiry-based skills,
- Guide pupils to work scientifically,
- Relate new learning to relevant, real-world contexts
- Use assessment to support learning and responsive teaching
- Encourage pupils to explain their thinking, whether verbally or in written form
- Strengthen science teaching through effective professional development as part of an implementation process.
Implementation
Weekly Science lessons follow the Cornerstones Curriculum to build a bespoke Science curriculum. Using the Curriculum Maestro tools, we have ensured that there is continuity, progression and coverage across all year groups. Science is taught in projects which match the National Curriculum, to develop children’s knowledge and where possible making links with other subjects. For example, Year 3, the projects Plant Nutrition and Reproduction, with Light and Shadows are taught alongside the D&T project Greenhouses and Art project, Beautiful Botanicals. These links allow children to embed their knowledge in new and often real-life contexts.
Each project is carefully sequenced so that the children develop the skills to work scientifically, learning to apply their knowledge of science when using equipment, conducting experiments, building arguments and explaining concepts confidently and continue to ask questions about their surroundings. e.g. In Year 1 Animal Parts, children ask simple questions and recognise that they can be answered in different ways and in Year 3 in Animal Nutrition they ask relevant questions and using different types of scientific enquiries to answer them. This progresses to middle school, in UKS2 where children plan different types of scientific enquiries to answer questions, including recognising and controlling variables where necessary. (Please see the links below for current topic and progression maps).
Scientific language is taught and then built upon as topics are revisited in different year groups and across key stages. It is our intent to encourage children to develop their scientific vocabulary, whilst learning to articulate scientific concepts clearly and precisely. We want to ensure that our children develop a secure understanding of each key block of knowledge and concepts in order to progress confidently to the next stage. SEND pupils access the full science curriculum with modifications made in certain circumstances. More able pupils are encouraged to respond to enquiry questions in greater depth using various sources to support.
Enrichment
One week per academic year is dedicated solely to British Science Week. During this week, we aim that lessons are planned with a focus upon fun, practical activities. The children focus on the theme for Science Week and learn about science through fascinating, entertaining and engaging activities and events across the school. Visitors from outside agencies are invited to come into school to work with the children and whole school trips are organised with a science focus to stimulate hands on learning in an engaging environment. We are currently in the process of building our Science Capital, providing more regular visits and opportunities to build children’s knowledge and practical skills.
Impact
Children will become enthusiastic learners with a secure understanding of all areas of the science curriculum. Due to an enriched curriculum, delivered by confident teachers through engaging and inspiring lessons, children will acquire the skills needed to think and act like a scientist.
Our project-led approach in this subject results in a fun, engaging and high-quality Science education which provides children with the foundations and knowledge for understanding the world. This is evident in pupils’ work, photos, and displays.
Through well-sequenced lessons, coupled with experiential learning outside of the classroom (including workshops, trips and interactions with experts), children at Shipham Church of England School have the understanding that science has changed our lives and that it is vital to the world’s future prosperity.
We are working towards every child having an awareness of the possibilities for careers in science, as a result of building community links and connection with national and local agencies such as the STEM association. This gives our children access to positive role models within the field of science from the immediate and wider local community. In a fast-changing world, our children are budding scientists, capable of achieving great things and working in careers yet to be invented.
