Science

Intent

It is our intent to give all children a strong understanding of the world around them whilst equipping them with the skills and knowledge to help them think scientifically. We encourage children to be inquisitive and we strive to foster a healthy curiosity about our universe, whilst ensuring children gain an understanding of scientific processes.

We strive to ensure children are equipped with an understanding of the use and implications of Science, today and for the future. We aim to equip pupils with the skills to work scientifically, asking and answering their own questions through using a range different enquiry types.

From Early Years to Year 6, our pupils will build up a knowledge, through revisiting key areas and building upon previous learning- embedding procedural knowledge into the long-term memory.

Our aim for every child is to leave with a strong core of scientific knowledge, learnt and secured through a range of different experiences.

Implementation

At Brookside Primary School, teachers create a positive attitude to science learning within their classrooms and reinforce an expectation that all children can achieve high standards in Science.

Teaching is set out thus:

Science is taught following the requirements of the National Curriculum. For more information, please see Science Overview of Learning. This overview of Learning allows the accumulation of knowledge, skills and vocabulary and allows progress in repeated topics through the years.
Pupils will concentrate on one science skill per term. Term 1 will be dedicated to planning investigations, Term 2 to results gathering and analysis, and Term 3 will be spent evaluating practical work. Although each skill is related and there are links between them, there is minimum crossover as they are taught, so each becomes firmly embedded.
Through our planning, we involve problem solving opportunities, allowing children to find out for themselves how to answer questions in a variety of practical means. Children are encouraged to ask their own questions and be given appropriate equipment to use their scientific skills to discover the answers.
Engaging lessons are created with each lesson having both practical and knowledge elements. Teachers use precise questioning in class to test conceptual knowledge and skills and children are regularly assessed to identify those children with gaps in learning, so that all children keep up.
We build upon the learning and skill development of previous years. As the children’s knowledge and understanding increases, and they become more proficient in selecting and using scientific equipment, collating and interpreting results, they become increasingly confident in their growing ability to come to conclusions based on real evidence.
Working Scientifically skills are explicit in lessons to ensure these skills are being developed throughout the children’s school career and new vocabulary and challenging concepts are introduced through direct teaching. This is developed through the years, in-keeping with the theme of the lesson.
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 and workshops with experts.

Impact

The successful approach at Brookside Primary School results in a fun, engaging, high-quality science education, that provides children with the foundations for understanding the natural world.

Our engagement with the local environment ensures that children learn through varied and first-hand experiences. Through various Science enrichment activities, such as workshops, trips and interactions with experts, children have the understanding that science has changed our lives and that it is vital to the world’s future prosperity.

Pupil voice is used to further develop the Science curriculum, through questioning of pupil’s views and attitudes to Science to support the children’s enjoyment of science and to motivate learners.