Science 'in all its fullness'

Statement of Intent

 At Holbrook C of E Primary School, it is our intention to provide a high quality science education that delivers the foundations children need to recognise the importance of Science in every aspect of daily life. We give the teaching and learning of Science high prominence.

At Holbrook C of E Primary School, science allows every pupil to develop a deeper understanding of the world in which they live. Through stimulating cross-curricular learning, we offer memorable learning journeys and experiences which enable all pupils to discover, question and develop their curiosity, thus evolving their knowledge and bank of core skills which will equip them for an ever-changing world.

Our aim is to develop children’s scientific knowledge and understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science, for now and the future. We teach this as part of an inspirational and stimulating curriculum, where we plan sequential lessons building on previous learning and successfully igniting new learning.

We encourage children to be inquisitive throughout their time at the school and beyond. The Science curriculum fosters a healthy curiosity in children about our universe and promotes respect for the living and non-living. We believe science encompasses the acquisition of knowledge, concepts, skills and positive attitudes.

Our science curriculum encompasses the aims of the National Curriculum.

Our curriculum enables children to become enquiry based learners collaborating through researching, investigating and evaluating experiences. It encourages respect for living organisms and for the physical environment.

Teachers ensure that all children are exposed to high quality teaching and learning experiences. These will hook the children’s interest, enabling them to develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. They will be encouraged to ask questions about the world around them and work scientifically to further their conceptual understanding and scientific knowledge.

Children are encouraged to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes. Science at Holbrook provides opportunities for the critical evaluation of evidence and rational explanation of scientific phenomena as well as opportunity to apply their mathematical knowledge to their understanding of science, including collecting, presenting and analysing data. Children are immersed in key scientific vocabulary, which supports in the acquisition of scientific knowledge and understanding.

All children will be provided with a broad and balanced science curriculum which reflects the equality and diversity policies and practice in school.

Implementation

Early Years Foundation Stage

In the Foundation Stage, children are taught Science through the key areas 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

Key Stage 1 and 2 

The national curriculum for Science is taught in unit blocks, with Years 3, 4 and 5 following a three year cycle, and Year 6 a yearly cycle. Key Stage 1 follows a two year cycle. This ensures that all topics are covered and enables progression through the year groups. Children have weekly Science lessons, with teachers following the scheme of work, but adapting lessons where necessary to suit the needs of their class.

Our curriculum approach is carefully designed so that learning in the Early Years is built upon in Key Stage 1 and then again in Key Stage 2, so no matter the cycle, there are always clear links to earlier and future learning. You can see an example of how we make links below.

We have thought carefully about the disciplinary knowledge and skills for Science, ensuring that this builds progressively across school, so that no matter the cycle or topic, children are developing their scientific thinking.

Oracy in Science

In Science lessons at Holbrook, the promotion of oracy is a key aspect of the curriculum, assisted by the use of our ‘Speak like a Scientist’ mats. These tools enable students to engage in meaningful discussions, explanations and debates related to scientific concepts and investigations. By providing students with these prompts and sentence stems, children are able to express their hypotheses, observations and conclusions effectively.

How this fits within our school vision

Our primary science curriculum is based on the belief that every child deserves to experience life ‘in all its fullness’, John 10:10. Inspired by the school vision, we aim to provide a science curriculum that equips our learners with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes they need to live a fulfilling life.

Our curriculum is designed to foster curiosity, wonder, and awe about the natural world, and to help our learners develop a deep understanding of scientific concepts and principles. We recognise that science is not just a body of knowledge, but also a way of thinking and a way of engaging with the world. Ultimately, our goal is to inspire our learners to become lifelong learners and to be curious about the world around them, experiencing life in all its fullness.