Subject Leader – Miss Mia O’Callaghan

Intent

At Selside School we believe in a broad and balanced curriculum which encourages children’s natural curiosity and understanding of the world we live in. Our ambitious science curriculum fulfils the National Curriculum requirements and we use various resources to aid our delivery of the objectives. Our scheme of work is coherently planned, sequenced and has rigorous progression to enable children to reach their full potential. As we nurture the essential aspects of scientific knowledge and skills throughout our science curriculum, we also embed ‘working scientifically’ within the content which is acquired through an enquiry-based learning approach to allow pupils to succeed in life. Our skills progression allows teaching and learning of science to be easily adapted to meet the needs of all our pupils.

Implementation

White Rose Science is a practical approach to science in an engaging and logical way. The White Rose Science scheme of work provides full coverage of the National Curriculum for Science. It also covers scientific questions around sustainability and the planet and help children develop an empathy for the local and wider environment.

In White Rose Science the learning is broken into small steps approach, by break down the essential aspects of key stage science into easily digestible chunks. Through experiment, practice and discussion, children gain core knowledge around: Scientific vocabulary; ‘working scientifically’ skills including systematic and careful observations and following practical scientific methods; the gathering and interpretation of straightforward scientific evidence; the use of everyday materials and scientific equipment to solve science problems; articulating scientific concepts and using five types of science enquiries.

Science Long Term Plans Plan A

Science Long Term Plan Plan B

Primary National Curriculum_-_Science (most up to date version available from DFE) 

Assessing Science Framework – Chris Quigley

What does science look like in the EYFS

Enrichment and Culture Capital

Science has meaningful links to many other subjects such as Maths, History, Geography, English, Reading, Design Technology, Computing and PE. Our core values are golden threads of our science scheme: we aim to develop the children’s respect of the world around them and an understanding of how Science affects our everyday lives, promote friendship by working effectively with others to conduct scientific enquiries, courage to challenge some of our beliefs and understanding of the world and thankfulness for the great scientific minds that have come before us . This approach helps to expand our pupils social, moral, spiritual and cultural development. Our science curriculum not only develops our pupils educationally, but we plan experiences to develop our children’s cultural capital by offering many opportunities to explore Science in different settings.

We aim to constantly improve our enrichment and cultural capital offering:

• Science Week
• Targeted After School Clubs
• Quality equipment (e.g. Data-loggers, electrical circuits, magnets etc.)
• STEM Training and Resources
• Scientist Visits
• Science Trips (e.g. museums, zoos, farms, local area)

Impact

We want our Pupils to become Scientists who have:

• The ability to think independently and raise questions about working scientifically and the knowledge and skills that it brings.
• Confidence and competence in the full range of practical skills, taking the initiative in, for example, planning and carrying out scientific investigations.
• Excellent scientific knowledge and understanding which is demonstrated in written and verbal explanations, solving challenging problems and reporting scientific findings.
• High levels of originality, imagination or innovation in the application of skills.
• The ability to undertake practical work in a variety of contexts, including fieldwork.
• A passion for science and its application in past, present and future technologies.