At St-Peter & St-Paul Carbrooke Primary Academy and Nursery we believe that a strong understanding of Science will allow children to understand concepts, develop their ability to explain the world around them, predict, analyse and broaden their vocabulary, all while developing a sense of curiosity and excitement for the natural world.

INTENT

The Scientific area of learning is concerned with increasing pupils’ knowledge and understanding of our world, and with developing skills associated with Science as a process of enquiry. It will develop the natural curiosity of the child, encourage respect for living organisms and the physical environment and provide opportunities for critical evaluation of evidence.

At St-Peter & St-Paul Carbrooke Primary Academy and Nursey, in conjunction with the aims of the National Curriculum, our Science teaching offers opportunities for children to:

• develop scientific knowledge and understanding through the specific disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics;

• develop understanding of the nature, processes and methods of Science through different types of science enquiries that help them to answer scientific questions about the world around them;

• be equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of Science, today and for the future.
• Develop an enthusiasm and enjoyment of scientific learning and discovery.

The National Curriculum will provide a structure and skill development for the science curriculum being taught throughout the school. The children will acquire and develop the key knowledge that has been identified within each unit and across each year group, as well as the application of scientific skills. We ensure that the Working Scientifically skills are built-on and developed throughout children’s time at the school so that they can apply their knowledge of science when using equipment, conducting experiments, building arguments and explaining concepts confidently and continue to ask questions and be curious about their surroundings

IMPLEMENTATION

In ensuring high standards of teaching and learning in science, we implement a curriculum that is progressive throughout the whole school.Planning for science is a process in which all teachers are involved to ensure that the school gives full coverage of, ‘The National Curriculum programmes of study for Science 2014’ and, ‘Understanding of the World’ in the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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. We do this through the following:

•          Science will be taught in planned and arranged topic blocks by the class teacher, to have a project-based approach. This is a strategy to enable the achievement of a greater depth of knowledge. At St Peter and St Paul Carbrooke C of E Primary Academy we use the PLAN documents that have been produced by the Association of Primary Science. These provide teachers with age appropriate (National Curriculum) lesson objectives and vocabulary, as well as suggested activities. Teachers use these to plan weekly inspiring and investigative lessons. Each half term children are given a knowledge organiser which outlines knowledge, vocabulary and information about the topic they are focusing on.  Children and Parents can and do refer to these when needed.
•   Through our planning, we involve problem solving opportunities that allow 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 engaging lessons, often involving high-quality resources to aid understanding of conceptual knowledge. Teachers use precise questioning in class to test conceptual knowledge and skills, and assess children regularly to identify those children with gaps in learning, so that all children keep up.
•          We build upon the learning and skill development of the previous years. As the children’s knowledge and understanding increases, and they become more proficient in selecting, using scientific equipment, collating and interpreting results, they become increasingly confident in their growing ability to come to conclusions based on real evidence.
•          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. Key Vocabulary is then displayed within the classroom for children to refer back to and use within the lesson.
•          Teachers demonstrate how to use scientific equipment, and the various Working Scientifically skills in order to embed scientific understanding. Teachers find opportunities to develop children’s understanding of their surroundings by accessing outdoor learning where possible.
•          Regular events, such as Science Week, allow all pupils to come off-timetable, to provide broader provision and the acquisition and application of knowledge and skills. These events often involve families and the wider community.
• Class teachers are given regular CPD to ensure they have the skills and knowledge to provide quality first teaching to the children in our school.

IMPACT

The successful approach at St-Peter & St-Paul Carbrooke Primary Academy and Nursery results in a fun, engaging, high quality science education, that provides children with the foundations and knowledge for understanding the world around them. Our engagement with the local environment ensures that children learn through varied and first hand experiences.

Our Science Curriculum is high quality, well thought out and is planned to demonstrate progression. If children are keeping up with the curriculum, they are deemed to be making good or better progress. In addition, we measure the impact of our curriculum through the following methods:

• Book looks
• Pupil voice
• Drop ins/Learning Walks
• Lesson Observations

Children at St-Peter & St-Paul Carbrooke Primary Academy and Nursery overwhelmingly enjoy science and this results in motivated learners with sound scientific understanding.