Science – Strategic leader Felicity Coetzee, Middle leader Rashida Sufi

Science is a body of knowledge built up through an experimental testing of ideas. In science, children at Calverton are inspired by being given opportunities to pursue their natural curiosity via the promotion of exploring and investigating scientific phenomena, in varying contexts, to ensure that they gain a constantly evolving knowledge and understanding of the world around them. They are encouraged to ask questions, challenge their own critical thinking and that of others, take risks, experiment, reflect and make and learn from mistakes in a safe environment whereby they acquire and apply core skills which equip them for an ever-changing world.

Aims:

At Calverton Primary School we aim to build on the children’s curiosity, questioning and interest in science teaching and learning we:

• Stimulate and excite pupils’ curiosity about changes and events in the world;
• Satisfy this curiosity with knowledge;
• Engage pupils as learners at many levels through linking ideas with practical experience;
• Help pupils to learn to question and discuss effectively as well as communicate expressively scientific issues that may affect their own lives;
• Help pupils develop, model and evaluate explanations through scientific methods of collecting evidence using critical and creative thought;
• Show pupils how major scientific ideas contribute to technological change and how this impacts on improving the quality of our everyday lives;
• Help pupils to recognise the cultural significance of science and trace its development.

Strategy for implementation

Science is a core subject of the National Curriculum and pupils undertake science learning every week at both key stage 1 and 2 through direct teaching of science as a stand-alone subject with cross curricular links made as much as possible. In EYFS it is taught through the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum through Knowledge of the World. Science is allocated ten per cent of the taught time at both key stages. The National Curriculum objectives are covered throughout each class and the Science Subject Lead monitors the completion of objectives and ensures continuity throughout the key stages. Planning takes into account that the school places a high emphasis on the development of pupils’ ‘Working Scientifically’. This skill is indicated on the individual teacher’s lesson plans. In the substantial majority of lessons the skills are taught alongside the knowledge and understanding. Working scientifically is embedded within the content of the different aspects of science learning focusing on the key features of science enquiry so that pupils learn to use a variety of approaches to answer relevant scientific questions. New vocabulary and challenging concepts are introduced through direct teaching which is developed through the years, in-keeping with the topics. The correct use of scientific equipment is demonstrated by teachers who also find opportunities to develop children’s understanding of their surroundings by accessing outdoor learning and workshops with experts. The curriculum affords children with a wide range of extra-curricular activities, visits, trips and visitors which are purposeful and link with the knowledge being taught in class to complement and broaden the curriculum.

These regular events, such as Science Week or project days, such as Outdoor learning Day, allow all pupils to come off-timetable, to provide acquisition and broader application of knowledge and skills. These events often involve families and the wider community. Smooth transition into secondary school is being developed through liaising and collaboration with neighbouring secondary schools who hold transition lessons as well as workshops with aspiring year seven pupils.