Miss Jane
Science Lead
Intent - Why are we teaching this?
At Grampound with Creed, we recognise the importance of science in every aspect of daily life. As one of the core subjects, we give the teaching and learning of Science the prominence it requires.
Science at GWC aims to develop a fun, practical and engaging high quality curriculum that inspires the next generation to flourish and share their wisdom of science with pride. At the heart of our science lessons is science investigation. We intend to deliver lessons where children learn through investigations and first-hand experience which will lead them to ask and answer scientific questions about the world around them. We ensure that their working scientifically skills are built-on and developed throughout their time at the school. This is nurtured from EYFS all the way up to Year 6.
In conjunction with the aims of the National Curriculum, our science teaching offers opportunities for children to:
- develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics;
- develop 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;
- be equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of Science, today and for the future.
- develop the essential scientific enquiry skills to deepen their scientific knowledge.
- use a range of methods to communicate their scientific information and present it in a systematic, scientific manner, including I.C.T., diagrams, graphs and charts.
- develop a respect for the materials and equipment they handle with regard to their own, and other children’s safety.
- develop an enthusiasm and enjoyment of scientific learning and discovery
Implementation - How is this being taught in the classroom?
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;
- Science will be taught in planned and arranged topic blocks by the class teacher. This is a strategy to enable the achievement of a greater depth of knowledge.
- Linked knowledge organisers enable children to learn and retain the important, useful and powerful vocabulary and knowledge contained within each unit.
- Through our planning, we involve problem solving opportunities that allow children to find out for themselves. Children are encouraged to ask their own questions and be given opportunities to use their scientific skills and research to discover the answers. This curiosity is celebrated within the classroom.
- Planning involves teachers creating 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.
- We 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, they become increasingly confident in their growing ability to come to conclusions based on real evidence.
- Working Scientifically skills are embedded into 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 topics.
- Teachers demonstrate how to use scientific equipment, and the various Working Scientifically skills in order to embed scientific understanding.
- Through enrichment opportunities, such as science week, we promote the profile of science and provide opportunities to aspire towards STEM careers.
Impact - What is the effect?
The successful approach results in a fun, engaging, high-quality science education that provides children with the foundations to flourish in understanding the world. So much of Science lends itself to outdoor learning and so we provide opportunities to experience this. Children learn the possibilities for careers in science as a result of a variety of lesson approaches from researching the work of inspirational scientists from the past and present to practical enquiry lessons where they become the scientists themselves and get to choose their own line of enquiry to deepen their understanding and recognise and celebrate their own individual interests.
Pupil voice is used to further develop the science curriculum, through questioning of pupil’s views, wisdom and attitudes, to assess the children’s enjoyment of science and to motivate learners’ individuality so they can shine their own individual light in God’s image.
Take a look at an example of a Science Knowledge Organiser and how we sequence learning within topics through the use of key questions!