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 an 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. We understand that it is important for lessons to have a skills -based focus, and that the knowledge can be taught through this

 

It is our intention that the pupils at Christ Church will develop their natural sense of curiosity and respect of the world around them, during their time at school and beyond.  Science encompasses the acquisition of knowledge, concepts, skills and positive attitudes and our children will develop the abilities which promote scientific ways of thinking, open-mindedness, perseverance, objectivity and collaborative work.

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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. Children at Christ Church will develop the skills of working scientifically i.e. asking questions, planning an enquiry, observing closely, taking measurements, gathering and recording results, presenting results, interpreting results, drawing conclusions, making predictions, and evaluating an enquiry. These skills are built -on and developed throughout children’s time at the school so that they can apply their knowledge and skills to be successful scientists, answering questions using the scientific enquiry process: using equipment, conducting experiments, building arguments and explaining concepts confidently and continue to ask questions and be curious about their surroundings, effectively communicating scientific concepts, facts and data in a variety of ways. Children will leave Christ Church with a curious mind, eager to continue to explore and understand the world of STEM learning.

 

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.​

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• Staff will work cooperatively to deliver a broad and balanced Science education which incorporates a range of teaching styles to suit individual needs.

• Science will be planned and taught weekly or in arranged topic ‘blocks’ by the class teachers, following a project-based approach. This is a strategy to enable the achievement of a greater depth of knowledge.

• Teachers will create engaging lessons, often involving high-quality resources 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 keep up.

• Teachers 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, and they become increasingly confident in their growing ability to come to conclusions based on real evidence.

• Problem solving opportunities will be built into planning that allow children to find out for themselves and ask questions. Children will be given opportunities to use their scientific skills and research to discover the answers. This will help the children become curious about the world around them and the things that they observe, experience and explore through exciting and interactive teaching.

• Working Scientifically skills are embedded into lessons to ensure these skills are being developed throughout the children’s time at school and new vocabulary and challenging concepts are introduced through direct teaching. This is developed through the years, in-keeping with the topics., allowing the children to explore using the different enquiry skills - observing over time, identifying, classifying and grouping, pattern seeking, comparative and fair testing, and researching using secondary sources

• 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, visits and workshops with experts.

• Science lessons will practise mathematical skills and enhance literacy skills (where possible) within real life contexts.

 

Impact

Children at Christ Church will have a fun, engaging, high-quality Science education meaning that at the end of each unit of work, the children will have learned more and will know more about the world in which they live. They will have further developed their investigation skills and ability to question what they are taught through varied and first hand experiences of the world around them. The successful approach at Christ Church results in the children having developed an interest in and a recognition of the importance of Science in improving the world. The vast majority of children will achieve the Age Related Expectations and will have developed an inquisitive and curious mind-set.

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Children learn about the possibilities for careers in Science and we seek opportunities for community links; enabling children to learn from and work with professionals, ensuring that children have access to positive role models within the field of Science from the immediate and wider local community. Children are encouraged to see themselves as scientists, capable of achieving.