Science

Intent

At Ambleside CE Primary School, we recognise the importance of science in every aspect of daily life. As one of the core subjects, we give the teaching of science the focus it requires. We aim to give children the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to progress. We encourage them to be inquisitive throughout their time here. We will ensure that the Working Scientifically skills are built-on and developed as they move through school so that they can apply their knowledge of science when using equipment, hypothesising and explaining concepts confidently.

We intend to help them recognise the significance of science through everyday objects around them and learn about scientists who have played vital roles in modern day life.

We will encourage them to continue asking questions and to be curious about the world around them.

Implementation

Ambleside CE Primary School uses a range of strategies to introduce, explore and fully understand scientific learning. When required, this will be adapted to best suit each class and each individual as a learner so they are able to make their personal best progress with their learning. Children need to be shown that there are a variety of types of scientific investigations and be taught these across their time in school:

  • fair testing
  • surveys and patterns in data
  • classification
  • exploring and observing over time
  • problem solving
  • investigating a ‘model’

We will take many opportunities to learn outdoors through practical experiences. We are fortunate to have amazing spaces around us to be able to do this.

We also plan educational visits to enrich our curriculum and invite guest speakers to work with classes on an age appropriate level. We encourage real world scenarios and role play where scientific learnng applies to show the children the types of occupations that might use this learning.

EYFS: In the Foundation Stage, children are taught Science through the key area of learning set out within the EYFS Statutory Framework. Through a broad range of teacher-led, child-initiated and continuous learning opportunities, children will be taught to:

  • Use their senses to investigate a range of objects and materials
  • Find out about, identify and observe the different features of living things, objects and worldly events
  • Look closely at similarities, differences, patterns and change
  • Ask questions about why things happen and why things work
  • Develop their communication and co-operation skills
  • Talk about their findings, sometimes recording them
  • Identify and find out about features of the place they live and in the natural world around them.

Key Stage 1&2: The progression of skills for working scientifically are developed through the year groups and scientific enquiry skills are of key importance within lessons. At Bishop King, 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. Our strategy is to enable all children to be catered for through adapted planning suited to their abilities
  • We plan for problem solving and real life opportunities that enable 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 practical, engaging lessons with opportunities for precise questioning in class to test conceptual knowledge and skills, and assess children regularly to identify those children with gaps in learning.
  • Our curriculum is progressive. We build upon the learning and skill development of the previous years. We quiz their prior learning at the start of new blocks so we can identify misconceptions that need addressing.
  • 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 days, such as ‘science week’, we promote the profile of Science and allow time for the children to freely explore scientific topics.

Impact

Our successful approach results in a fun, engaging, high-quality science education that provides children with the foundations and knowledge for understanding the world.

Children will know more, remember more and understand more about the curriculum. Children retain prior-learning and explicitly make connections between what they have previously learned and what they are currently learning.

All children will have:

  • A wider variety of skills linked to both scientific knowledge and understanding, and scientific enquiry/investigative skills
  • A richer vocabulary which will enable them to articulate their understanding of taught concepts
  • Confidence and a love of learning for all things science

Downloads