Intent
At St. Andrew’s Primary School, we recognise how science impacts every aspect of daily life, and without science, humankind would not have made progress throughout history.
Learning science is concerned with increasing pupils’ knowledge of our world, and with developing skills associated with science as a process of enquiry. Our science curriculum develops the natural curiosity of each child no matter their demographic, encourages them to have respect for living organisms, and instil in pupils the importance of caring for the natural environment.
Science Lessons
Using the requirements of the Science National Curriculum as our guide, our Science lessons offer opportunities for children to:
- Develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding of the disciplines of Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
- Formulate their own questions about the natural world.
- Foster the confidence to ‘be wrong’ when it comes to making predictions and postulating their own theories.
- Promote an awareness of the importance of teamwork in scientific experimentation.
- Practically investigate their questions using various methods of enquiry.
- Gain competence in the science skills of planning scientific investigations, gathering and analysing data and critical evaluation of investigations across the disciplines.
- Use a range of methods to gather data from investigations and secondary sources including I.C.T., drawings, diagrams, videos and photographs.
- Present data in a variety of methods including tables, bar charts, line graphs, pictograms and pie charts.
- Produce comprehensive science reports that demonstrate their proficiency in the scientific method.
- Have care for the safety of all individuals in lessons by developing knowledge of the hazards of the materials and equipment they handle, along with mitigating these hazards.
- Develop an enthusiasm and enjoyment of scientific learning and discovery.
Implementation
PZAZ is used for the short-term planning of science lessons at St. Andrew’s. Teachers create a positive attitude to science learning within their classrooms and reinforce an expectation that all children can achieve high standards in science. Knowledge and skills are built upon and progressive through each year group.
Children have weekly lessons in Science throughout the school. Key Stage 1 lessons last for 1/1.5 hours and KS2 lessons 2 hours. In Early years, science is taught through the children learning by play. Additional opportunities are provided in Science, such as weekly science club.
Skills and Techniques
Children will:
- Use scientific vocabulary with confidence
- Work scientifically
Observe patterns over time- Identify, classify and group
- Research
- Collect and analyse data
- Apply mathematical skills when analysing data
These techniques are repeated over the years so that the children can build upon and refine their skills in each area.
Local Links
In addition, we draw upon the local area to ignite, embed or extend learning. An example of this would be the Centre for Life, Botanic Gardens in Durham, Washington Wetlands, The Discovery Museum in Newcastle, Shildon Railway, a local secondary school and visits by the school nurse.
Impact
The successful approach at St. Andrew’s Primary School results in a fun, engaging, high-quality science education, that provides children with the foundations for understanding the natural world. Our engagement with the local environment ensures that children learn through varied and first-hand experiences. Much learning takes place outdoors so pupils can investigate their immediate environment. Through various workshops, trips and interactions with experts and local charities, children have the understanding that science has changed our lives and that it is vital to the world’s future prosperity. Children learn the possibilities for careers in science as a result of our community links and increased focus on science during British Science Week each year. Pupil voice is used to further develop the Science curriculum, through questioning of pupil’s views and attitudes to Science to support the children’s enjoyment of science and to motivate learners.
Please see our Whole School Long Term Plan to see what our pupils will study during each year here.
For information about Science in Early Years, please go to our Early Years section here.
