Science     

“A scientist is not a person who gives the right answers, but one who asks the right questions.”  

-Claude Levi-Strauss-

Intent

At the Highway, children are encouraged to think “like a scientist” by building on their natural curiosity for the world around them.  Children are equipped to develop their own scientific questions and explore these through scientific inquiry: predicting, investigating and drawing conclusions. Throughout the year, we have a focus on famous scientists (both current and past) where children learn that not all scientists wear lab coats and that there is a wide variety of careers available in Science. We are mindful that science lessons shine a spotlight on different scientists from around the world. Oracy, precision of language and unpicking vocabulary is vital to every lesson as we want to equip the children with the tools to question what’s around them and explain their thinking. We pay attention to changes facing our world and the children’s future. By developing scientific knowledge, enquiry and skills throughout our school, we are ensuring they are ready to progress to the challenges of the secondary curriculum in addition to holding a confidence that will make them life-time explorers.

Implementation

In EYFS Science is taught as a part of the Understanding of the World area of the curriculum. Children are provided with hands-on opportunities to investigate, observe and to ask and answer questions. All of these skills help to prepare them for Science in KS1. Our science curriculum is treated as a core subject and as such, we use the National Curriculum as a basis to build on for our learning focus in KS1 and KS2.  National Curriculum objectives are weaved alongside a skills progression map to ensure children experience and engage with the breadth of the subject and develop deep understanding.  We have carefully structured our topics and investigations to ensure that the children build on their own interests, prior learning and experiences in addition to widening their understanding and appreciation of the wider world. We view Science as a predominantly ‘active’ subject, and aim to strike an appropriate balance between the practical experience of experimentation, and the necessity to carefully record observations and draw conclusions. Working scientifically is far more than just discussing fair testing!  

Impact

At the end of each year, children have gained a deeper understanding of the scientific core concepts. Their understanding will be developed to make links between themes within science and across the curriculum.

Children will:

• have an increasing curiosity which allows them to communicate and reflect on their own learning.     
• demonstrate progress in relation to the success criteria outlined at the beginning of the unit of work (set out on a topic title page).
• be able to explain specific scientific vocabulary appropriate to their age.  
• be able to talk confidently about science and scientists around the world.
• show an understanding of different skills they have learnt through scientific inquiry.
• have confidence and be inspired to further their knowledge and scientific journey in school and their future.

This will be evident through pupil voice, evidence of knowledge and skills and the monitoring of the ambition behind the curriculum.

Curriculum Statement for the Teaching and Learning of Science 2020/2021