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Purpose of Study

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.

INTENT

Science is all around us. It is inspiring, interesting and innovative. Our science curriculum develops the natural curiosity of each child, no matter their demographic, encourages them to have respect for living organisms and instils in pupils the importance of caring for the natural environment. We use a diverse range of role models – past and present – to deepen children’s experience of the living world.

Additionally, it is equally important that children are equipped with the scientific knowledge and skills required to understand the uses and implications of science, both for today and for the future. The curriculum is designed to challenge the children’s thinking through excellent staff knowledge and questioning and ensure the children develop an enquiring mind.

IMPLEMENTATION

At Whitechapel Church of England Primary School, the science curriculum is implemented through repeated practise.  Teachers have worked together to ensure that the planning is fit for purpose for each year group and that each new unit builds on knowledge learnt from the previous one. All classes take part in science each week which is taught by the class teacher. Knowledge organisers (developed for staff use) have been identified for all areas. These include a list of the expected investigations/experiments for each year group. Each child has a right to conduct practical experiments to ensure they develop and deepen their scientific knowledge and expertise.  To add to this, vocabulary has been carefully considered to enhance each unit. Each class will have a lab coat to display vocabulary learnt throughout the year and each lesson, an ‘expert scientist’ will wear the coat and be responsible for the prominence of key vocabulary.

Clear investigation questions give children the skills to be able to predict what will happened in their enquiry. This gives them a clear purpose for their learning.

IMPACT

In order to measure the impact and understanding of the science curriculum at Whitechapel Church of England Primary School, knowledge needs to be embedded into long term memory. We aim to do this by: low stakes quizzing (including questions from previous year group learning), regular formative assessment methods and in KS2 summative assessment, using Headstart Science materials. In KS1, this will include the use of concept maps for children to show their pre and post learning and embed the skills and understanding required for the next stage in their learning.

By the end of each year, it is expected that children are able to verbalise ‘what a great scientist looks like’.

Click here for curriculum mapping.

Whitechapel Church of England Primary | Hosted by New Era Technology | DB Primary | DB Learning Library

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