Science
Science knows no country because knowledge belongs to humanity and is the torch which illuminates the world.- Louis Pasteur
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At Furzedown Primary School we believe that all children are entitled to a broad and balanced Science curriculum. We recognise the importance of Science in every aspect of daily life. A clear, established vision for science is embedded in our school. We believe that learning in science is best when it is hands-on, engaging and when children are encouraged to follow their own interests and lines of enquiry, answering questions which they’ve generated.
We also believe that learning should be relevant to the real world, giving the children a context for the science they are studying, the confidence to take the lead with their investigations, promoting team work and a positive scientific ethos. We believe that every individual should have the opportunity to develop and realise their true potential. To ensure that this happens we aim to consistently provide learning opportunities for all children that offer challenge, intellectual stimulation and an enriched curriculum.
Children will be given opportunities to develop their scientific understanding of the world and their skills of investigation, including observation, measuring, predicting, hypothesising, experimenting, fair testing, communicating, analysing causes and interpreting. We intend to provide all children, regardless of ethnic origin, gender, class, aptitude or disability, with a broad and balanced science curriculum. Our science curriculum is enquiry based and aims to develop young scientists who are equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the use and implications of Science today and for the future.
Our Approach
At Furzedown Primary we believe that every child can succeed in Science to become a self-assured and skilled Scientist equipped with the knowledge of the world around them and the ability to investigate scientifically. 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.
Science is taught in planned and arranged topic blocks by the class teacher using the Kent Primary Scheme of Work for Science (2014) that links very closely with the key objectives from the National Curriculum. This Scheme of Work develops children’s ability to work scientifically and have a hands-on approach to their Science learning. We use this scheme to help plan (intent), teach (implementation) and assess (impact) Science. Within the scheme the use of precise, technical scientific language is consistent across all year groups as the vocabulary used in each unit is specified. This enables children to develop the appropriate vocabulary to discuss, reason and explain their scientific understanding more clearly and precisely.
We deliver the Science Curriculum in ways that are imaginative, purposeful and enjoyable. Through our planning, we involve problem solving opportunities that allow children to find out for themselves. Our Science Development Plan is reviewed and updated each term with a fundamental aim of maintaining a high profile of Science throughout the school. Children are continuously encouraged to ask their own questions and are given opportunities to use their scientific skills and research to discover the answers. This curiosity is celebrated both inside and outside of the classroom.
As the children progress through the school a greater emphasis is placed on investigative work. Scientific ideas should be developed through practical investigation wherever possible. The school has an embedded science investigation plan which develops as the children move through the school to aid them in planning their investigations whilst at the same time allowing them to apply their scientific knowledge and understanding. 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.
We often find opportunities to develop the children’s understanding of their surroundings by accessing outdoor learning and workshops with experts as well as speakers coming in for assemblies and to work with different classes. We are lucky to have supportive parents, friends and relatives with science backgrounds who are happy to come and share their enthusiasm with our children. Wherever appropriate, cross-curricular links to other subjects such as Literacy, Maths, Computing, History, Geography and PE are explored in order to enrich the children’s learning and further their understanding relating to how Science contributes to our everyday lives.
Our Science Curriculum
At Furzedown Primary School, in conjunction with the aims of the National Curriculum, our Science teaching offers opportunities for children to:
- develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding
- build upon prior knowledge and a progression of skills to ensure all children have a secure understanding and knowledge of key science concepts
- 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
- develop the essential scientific enquiry skills to deepen their scientific knowledge.
- develop creativity and challenges all of our learners through outstanding and inclusive teaching practice
- inspire and excite our children through engaging practical sessions which are enriched with visits and visitors
- develop into aspirational learners with an awareness of the key role that science plays within our community and the world and the opportunities that this creates for future careers
- encourage our children to be self-motivated, independent, curious and resilient learners by developing inquiry based skills and sessions
- use a range of methods to communicate their scientific information and present it in a systematic, scientific manner, including I.C.T., diagrams, graphs and charts.
- develop a respect for the materials and equipment they handle with regard to their own, and other children’s safety.
- take part in outdoor learning to create meaningful experiences within their natural environment
Science is taught in all year groups. The different aspects to Science teaching at Furzedown are:
- ‘Working Scientifically’ - Throughout each unit, the emphasis is on the children learning by doing. The units of work encourage the teachers to provide activities that will enable the children to test their previously held ideas. In doing so, they will also be encouraged to develop a bank of skills and an understanding of the processes required to be able to carry out a successful science enquiry.
- Scientific vocabulary - Each unit of work contains a section outlining the most appropriate scientific vocabulary to be used when studying that particular area of science. This will help children become familiar with, and use, technical terminology accurately and precisely.
Resources– We have an extensive list of resources that are available to teachers to support the learning that occurs in lessons and across each unit of work.
- Hooks - Within every unit of work there are many suggestions as to strategies that teachers can use to ensure that children are interested and engaged in the content from the very beginning.
- Scientists - Every unit of work lists some of the scientists who are working, or have worked, in that particular area of science. Teachers use these to extend the children’s understanding of different scientific discoveries.
- A range of learning strategies - As well as the full range of practical scientific enquiries outlined, there are plenty of other strategies provided to engage the children in their science learning; drama, deep thinking time, problem-solving in various contexts, videos from web pages, etc.
The National Curriculum provides a structure and skill development for the science curriculum being taught throughout the school, that is linked, where possible, to the theme topics to provide a creative scheme of work, which reflects a balanced programme of study.
In the Early Years Science is taught through the children learning about the world around them in their learning through purposeful play experiences which are represented in a variety of indoor and outdoor environments. Children find out about the world around them by learning about materials, plants, animals and the changing seasons. They look at similarities, differences, patterns and change. These activities foster curiosity and encourage explorative play. The children are encouraged to ask questions about why things happen and how things work. Photographic evidence (Evidence Me) and discussions with the children are a main aspect of Science learning in EYFS.
Throughout Key Stage 1 and 2 children have weekly lessons in Science. As they progress through the school, the children learn Science through a variety of topics that are grounded in physics, biology and chemistry.
Key Stage 1
- observing, exploring and asking questions
- collecting evidence to answer questions and linking findings to simple scientific ideas
- evaluating evidence and considering whether tests or comparisons are fair
- learning how they to share ideas and communicate them using scientific language, drawings, charts and tables
Key Stage 2
- creating links between ideas and explaining observations using simple models and theories based on personal experiences
- considering ways in which we can measure and quantify our surroundings using a variety of scientific instruments
- becoming independent scientific investigators, capable of conceiving the aim of a scientific investigation and of controlling the variables as necessary to ensure that they then carry out a fair test
Curriculum Overview
The Kent Primary Science Scheme of work that underpins our Science teaching has 28 units of study. Each unit of study has been assigned to a particular year group in line with guidance from the National Curriculum 2014.
science curriculum overview 2022 2023.pdf
Useful Websites
The National History Museum
Bringing Science lessons to life! STEM
Science Kids
BBC Bitesize
Weather Wiz Kids
Kids Science Challenge
Science Fun