Science Curriculum
At Fringford C of E Primary School, we recognise that a high quality science education provides pupils with the foundations for understanding the world around them. Science has changed our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity, and all pupils are taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science. Pupils are encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. Through a series of carefully planned steps, pupils build up a body of essential knowledge and skills that can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes.
Intent:
- To develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
- To 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.
- To be equipped with the scientific knowledge and skills required to understand the uses and implications of Science, today and for the future.
- To use a range of methods to communicate their scientific knowledge including ICT, diagrams, graphs, charts and reports.
- To develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about the world around them
Implementation:
- We implement a curriculum that is progressive throughout the whole school and gives full coverage of, ‘The National Curriculum programmes of study for Science 2014’ and, ‘Understanding of the World’ in the Early Years Foundation Stage.
- Where possible, Science is linked to class topics but it is taught as discrete units and lessons where needed to ensure coverage.
- Teachers plan to suit their children’s interests, current events, their own teaching style, the use of any support staff and the resources available.
- 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.
- The teaching of Science involves adapting and extending the curriculum to match all pupils’ needs.
- Opportunities for practical investigation are planned for in every unit and Working Scientifically skills are embedded into lessons to ensure these skills are being developed throughout the children’s school career.
- 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 and using scientific equipment, collating and interpreting results, they become increasingly confident in their growing ability to come to conclusions based on real evidence.
Impact:
- Children acquire the appropriate age related knowledge and skills linked to the Science Curriculum, which enables them to make good progress from their starting points.
- Children develop a rich vocabulary which promotes their understanding of the world around them and will enable them to articulate their understanding of taught concepts.