Science

Intent

At Calthwaite C of E PrimarySchool we aim to develop our pupils as scientists, we want them to enjoy the subject and remember the exciting science in school. We aim to ensure that our pupils recognise the importance of Science in every aspect of their daily lives and understand the range of different career opportunities that use science skills. We aim to increase their knowledge and understanding of our world, developing the skills associated with Science as a process of enquiry and endeavour to provide them with the confidence and motivation to continue to further develop their skills. By developing their natural curiosity, we encourage respect for living organisms and the physical environment and provide opportunities to be reflective and critical of evidence.

Implementation

We use the Developing Experts scheme to plan lessons and ensure all children learn and retain knowledge throughout the programme of study. In each lesson, pupils are given key facts and knowledge through a storytelling approach to learning. Further to this, each lesson offers Rocket Words, these are key words and meanings to learn; vocabulary which is then repeated throughout the lesson, quizzed on at the end and repeated at the beginning of the following lesson.

All our lessons contain a balance of the different ‘Working Scientifically Skills’ and ‘Scientific Enquiry’ types, so that children practise a broad range of skills throughout the curriculum. We promote the importance of an investigative approach through regular ‘hands on’ experiences. Children work scientifically during lessons and work collaboratively developing skills and investigating different concepts and ideas. This encourages resilience, determination, perseverance, communication, collaboration and questioning. We mix the content knowledge and investigation skills needed to solve Science problems and make decisions and predictions based on what they have learned. Our lessons also allow our pupils to practise their Mathematics and English whilst developing their reasoning and problem-solving skills. By linking Science concepts to everyday life, our pupils can understand the world around them in a scientific way. This will enable pupils to have transferable skills across other subject disciplines, without impacting on the collection of specific scientific knowledge and skills, ensuring that pupils retain knowledge that will readily prepare them for secondary school.

Impact

Children’s engagement is seen in their enthusiasm for learning. They take pride in their work and demonstrate good learning behaviours in school. Children enjoy their learning and this is reflected in good attendance. Children understand where their knowledge fits into the outside world and why it is important to learn about all the different areas of the curriculum. They are able to demonstrate knowledge through pupil voice and also across wider subjects. Children are able to articulate themselves using acquired vocabulary from across the curriculum. Children are able to apply their Scientific enquiry skills to solve new problems and explain how and why they solved them.

We use White Rose and Kapow planning materials
Assessment is through Scholarpack
focus weeks with external visitors such as: Dental nurse, Volcano geologist, 'Science Booth' interactive workshops
Science day at a local secandary school annually

Introducing STEM into the primary curriculum

Building opportunities for primary pupils to do STEM activities enriches the curriculum, builds knowledge and understanding and develops skills. This is achieved by intertwining STEM with the curriculum topics, forging practical, connected and where possible real-life learning situations. In establishing these opportunities, pupils are able to see how scientific and mathematical concepts relate to the world around them. Computing becomes something beyond the keyboard and search engine and develops logic and step-by-step processing skills. Technology is a means to innovation, discovery and creativity.

STEM activities that are hands-on and minds-on develop key competencies such as collaboration, creativity, critical thinking and problem solving, good listening and communication skills. There are opportunities to promote values that are needed in the world of further education and eventually work – respect, resilience, risk-taking and resourcefulness. As pupils explore and investigate, and begin to see the STEM-related connections to their world – their interests will be sparked and they will develop confidence, passion, knowledge, understanding and the skills to succeed in life.