Science
Science Curriculum Statement
Intent
At Landulph School, science is fully inclusive to every child. Our aims are to provide a broad, balanced and differentiated curriculum, ensuring the progressive development of knowledge, skills and vocabulary and for the children to develop a love of science. We aim to inspire in pupils a curiosity and fascination about the natural and man-made world and a respect for the environment that will remain with them for the rest of their lives.
Through practical investigation, we teach the skills of observation, prediction, investigation, interpretation, communication, questioning and hypothesizing. Children are encouraged to take a creative approach, following lines of enquiry that interest them. The children explore their skills of co-operation through working with others and the need for safety for themselves and their group. The children are asked to question outcomes and repeat results for verification. The children are expected to treat the living and non-living environment with respect and sensitivity We equip children with the language to be able to discuss their learning and confidently explain their scientific understanding.
Their classroom experiences are deepened with educational visits, enrichment days and theme days.
Implementation
The 2014 National Curriculum states
‘A high-quality science education provides the foundations for understanding the world through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. Science has changed our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity, and all pupils should be taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science. Through building up a body of key foundational knowledge and concepts, pupils should be encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. They should be encouraged to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes.’
When teaching science, teachers follow the children’s interests to ensure their learning is engaging, broad and balanced. Teachers assess children’s prior knowledge and understanding ensuring work is pitched at the correct level. A variety of teaching approaches are used based on the teacher’s judgement. Teaching scientific topic vocabulary is also a part out science curriculum.
Science provides excellent opportunities to enhance the learning of more able pupils through planning lines of enquiry, asking opened ended problems, analysing results and drawing conclusions based on scientific findings.
At Landulph School, we provide a variety of opportunities for science learning inside and outside the classroom. Learning outside the classroom, especially in our Wild Tribe setting, is an important part of learning science. It is essential for the children to observe and immerse themselves in their local environment and to apply their learning practically to real-life situations. We broaden the experiences further for the children by hosting visits from guest scientists who focus on particular aspects of the subject in an engaging manner and bring specific resources to share with the children. We plan an annual science week for the children, where the children can become fully immersed.
Impact
As a result, children are enthusiastic about learning science and demonstrate their enjoyment throughout lessons. There is a clear progression through the school of teacher’s expectations and children’s learning. Children are becoming increasingly independent; choosing their own equipment, leading a line of enquiry and formulating a result. Standards at the end of Key Stage 2 are good. Our governors are kept informed through termly governor days and subject leader meetings.
Science in the Early Years
Science is explored through the children’s understanding of the world and elements of technology. Our outdoor learning environment in the Early Years at Landulph School is key to enhancing child led learning. We provide opportunities for children to question, wonder, explore, discover, experiment and observe through direct experiences.
The children are introduced to scientific vocabulary to help them further their understanding and are asked open-ended questions, so that they can make predictions and give them opportunities to question.
Our Early Years provision ensures that children have access to a range of materials that work in different ways for various purposes. Children can use resources and the environment around them to notice similarities and differences, changes over time such as a growing plants in our vegetable patch and discuss their point of view with their peers.
The Curriculum Leader for Science is: David Finnimore