Intent

We recognise the importance of Science in every aspect of daily life, and we aim to enrich the lives of our pupils by teaching the Science National Curriculum in an informative and practical way. We aim to teach key working scientifically skills, knowledge, and unit specific vocabulary to raise our pupil’s aspirations and love and enjoyment of Science.

Implementation

We teach the National Curriculum which is supported by a clear, sequential progression of scientific based skills and knowledge, building upon prior learning. We also ensure the skills of working scientifically skill are embedded across units. During the year, all children will have the opportunity to access and be involved with a range of activities within school, in addition to accessing work supported by British science week.

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;

• Teachers work collaboratively using subject progression maps and knowledge mapping to coherently plan and sequence learning journeys designed to allow our pupils to gain cumulatively sufficient knowledge to ensure they are ready for the next stage of their education.
• Starting in EYFS children are introduced to science by discovering the natural world through activities, which are then developed throughout KS1 and KS2. This is with a more formal approach of planning and conducting experiments, research and the use of predictions and conclusions.
• Working Scientifically skills are embedded into lessons to ensure these are being developed throughout the children’s school career, with new vocabulary and challenging concepts being introduced through direct teaching and the use of scientific equipment.
• Teachers will also find opportunities to develop children’s understanding of their surroundings by accessing outdoor learning (such as Year 4 Stibbington Residential, Unicef Tree Planting).

Impact 

This approach 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. By the time children leave Castor they will:

• Be aware of a range of different professions within the Science field;
• Be able to work scientifically and have a scientific approach to their work;
• Be able to discuss their Science learning with reference and association to Science enrichment in form of trips and workshops;
• Exhibit a love of learning by raising their own questions and hypotheses, leading to pupils leading their own investigations and developing their own knowledge and skills at home.