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South View Primary

Science Curriculum

‘It is important to view knowledge as sort of a semantic tree – make sure you understand the fundamental principles, i.e.the trunk and big branches, before you get into the leaves/details or there is nothing for them to hang onto.’ Elon Musk

 
Science Curriculum Intention

Science inspires children.  It excites them and develops their innate curiosity.  At South View, we recognise the power of this as a starting point, and it is our intention to harness these values and provide a high-quality Science curriculum that delivers opportunities to grow these positive beginnings into a life-long passion to explore the world around them.

At South View, in conjunction with the National Curriculum, our Science teaching offers cross-curricular opportunities for pupils to develop their scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding, and develop and use a range of skills for working scientifically, including questioning, researching and making first-hand observations.

The teaching and acquisition of new vocabulary is very important in our school and this is no different in the Science curriculum.  Scientific language is taught and built on as topics and subject areas are revisited in different year groups and across key stages.  In addition, we see Science as a way of not only exploring concepts but also as a way of developing our school Core Values through collaborating, showing resilience, articulating ideas and explanations, reflecting on our learning, demonstrating creativity in our thinking and being all-round excellent learners in Science.

Finally, it is our intention that our Science curriculum will enable pupils to recognise the importance of Science in daily life, to make pupils aware that many jobs of the future are likely to relate to a secure scientific understanding, and also to give them strong foundations upon which future science teaching may build.

 

Science Implementation

At South View, Science topics are taught within each year group in accordance with the National Curriculum.

  • Teachers promote enjoyment and foster an interest of the scientific disciplines; Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
  • Topics are blocked to allow children to focus on developing their knowledge and skills, studying each topic in depth.
  • Every year group will build upon the learning from prior year groups, therefore, developing depth of understanding and progression of skills.
  • At the start of each topic, children will have the opportunity to reflect upon and share what they already know about the scientific concept.
  • Each child is given a knowledge organiser at the start of each topic, which details some key information for the topic, dates and vocabulary
  • Effective modelling by teachers ensures that children are able to achieve their learning objectives, with misconceptions addressed within it.
  • Children explore, question, predict, plan and carry out investigations and observations as well as conclude their findings.
  • Children present their findings and learning to use science-specific language, observations and diagrams.
  • In order to support children in their ability to ‘know more and remember more’, there are end of unit assessments to review the learning that has taken place and to ensure that any misconceptions are highlighted and addressed.
  • The subject leader uses pupil interviews to ensure knowledge is retained over time.
  • Effective use of educational visits and visitors are planned, to enrich and enhance pupils’ learning experiences within the Science curriculum.
EYFS

At South View, the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum supports children’s understanding of Science through the planning and teaching of ‘Understanding the World.’ Children find out about objects, materials and living things using all of their senses looking at similarities, differences, patterns and change. Both the environment and skilled practitioners foster curiosity and encourage explorative play, children are motivated to ask questions about why things happen and how things work. Our children are encouraged to use their natural environment around them to explore. Children enjoy spending time outdoors exploring mini-beasts and their habitats, observing the changing seasons, plants and animals. Children have opportunities to participate in cookery and baking sessions which allows them to experience changes in state as ingredients are mixed, heated and cooled.

 

Science Impact

The impact of this curriculum design will lead to outstanding progress over time, across key stages, relative to a child’s individual starting point and their progression of skills. Children will therefore be expected to leave South View having obtained, at least, age-related expectations for Science. Through various workshops, trips and interactions with experts our Science curriculum will lead pupils to be enthusiastic Science learners and understand that science has changed our lives and that it is vital to the world’s future prosperity. We want to empower our children, so they understand they have the capability to change the world. This is evidenced in a range of ways, including pupil voice, their work and their overwhelming enjoyment for science.

Useful websites for Science (click on icon for website)