Intent

At KIrkbampton, our vision is to provide children with a Science curriculum that enables them to explore and discover the world around them. We want our children to have a love of science and to know that they are future scientists in the making. To accomplish this, we aim to provide lessons taught through scientific enquiry; with practical experiences to encourage a deeper understanding and curiosity. We aim to promote and develop transferrable skills such as observation, communication and team work to develop the whole child as a lifelong learner. Our objective is to provide lessons which consolidate and build upon prior knowledge, encourage deeper understanding and that are rooted in scientific vocabulary.

Implementation

Our Science curriculum has been developed to ensure progression of skills, knowledge and learning opportunities for each year group takes place and repetition throughout the key stages ensures this is embedded in children’s learning. For example, when studying animals including humans, in year 1/2 we investigate and describe the basic needs of animals including humans (water, food and air) in year 3/4 we look at the correct types of nutrition, food chains and also the digestive system and in year 5/6 we study the importance of diet, exercise and lifestyle and the way nutrients are transported within animals including humans.

We expect our children to develop scientific characteristics which are embedded within their work. These characteristics are:

• To be independent thinkers and ask questions
• To be confident in using practical skills and be able to plan and take the lead in planning and carrying out investigations and fieldwork
• To have good scientific knowledge & understanding and be able to explain their scienctific findings using this knowledge
• To be passionate about science and understand how it has impacts on all our lives

Class teachers plan lessons based on the long term curriculum map and when appropriate, links are made with other curriculum areas to help to embed this knowledge and deepen children’s learning. For example, in the foundation stage, when children are learning about transport we make boats (using a variety of construction materials,  boxes/containers) that can transport a selection of toy animals without sinking, this is linked to our literacy text ‘Mr Gumpy’s Outing by John Burningham This enables children to make connections in their learning and embed their understanding .

Impact 

The impact of our Science curriculum is measured through class teacher assessment during lessons and at the end of each science topic. The expectations for each year group link with the progression skills and topics. Class teachers can use this information to inform their short-term planning and identify children who need more support in particular areas of science, as well as those who are exceeding in them. Children’s work is also monitored through learning walks, staff meeting discussions and book scrutinies throughout the year. This information is collected, reviewed and adaptations to the planning, support and curriculum are made when necessary.

Science is a core subject in the new National Curriculum and is Co-Ordinated by Mrs Julie Blaylock.

A high-quality science education provides the foundations for understanding the world through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. Science has changed our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity, and all pupils should be taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science. Through building up a body of key foundational knowledge and concepts, pupils should be encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. They should be encouraged to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes.

The new national curriculum for science aims to ensure that all pupils:

• Develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics
• Develop an 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
• Are equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future.

Topics covered in each year group are as follows:

However, when two year groups are in a class together these areas will be covered on a two-year rota eg. Year 3 / 4 will study year 4s topics in year 1 and year 3s in year 2.