Science
Intent
At Earlham Primary we aim to teach a clear and coherent, rich diverse curriculum. The Science curriculum should build on the children's natural curiosity, foster links with their environment and support their future learning in higher education and future employment.
We believe all pupils should be taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science. From EYFS up to KS2 our pupils will build up a body of key foundational knowledge and concepts, pupils are encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. Teachers plan and challenge pupils using the National Curriculum objectives and key PLAN and ASE Science documents for each topic. This planning is based on knowledge matrices, developing science enquiry skills alongside working scientifically skills, having knowledge of the progression throughout the years and the rich vocabulary used to develop concepts and knowledge. We monitor our schools progress in Science by looking for evidence during the lessons through targeted questioning, assessing the learning objectives, and monitoring statements from the PLAN document. We are able to use this evidence to track progress and target the highest number of children on attaining the expected level or higher.
Implementation
Pupils are taught Science weekly, focusing on one topic for a block of time to allow children to focus on developing their knowledge and skills, studying each topic in depth. Every year group will build upon the learning from prior year groups therefore developing depth of understanding and progression of skills.
During lessons, the EYFS interact with their environment in order to explore, discuss, sort, make simple recordings and ask and answer questions. KS1 pupils will be able to explore, question, sort, make simple predictions, carry out simple investigations, measure and record data on prepared tables.
KS2 demonstrates their understanding through observations, questioning, fair testing, making scientific predictions as well as presenting their data, evaluating and making conclusions based on their findings. Children in year groups 1-6 are given a knowledge organiser at the start of each topic which details some key Science concepts, vocabulary and key figures in this topic. This is used to support children with their acquisition of knowledge, pre-teaching vocabulary and as a reference tool. Children in KS1 and KS2 are given clear success criteria in order to achieve the learning intention with differing elements of independence. Each statement is marked with the Science enquiry skill that they are learning in order for the children to build up a knowledge of these skills and in UKS2, to be able to recognise which enquiry they are working on and to foster an understanding of the 3 main Science disciplines.
Pupils are regularly given the opportunity for self-assessment which will then be used to inform planning, preparation, differentiation and address misconceptions within that lesson, or for the next lesson.
To support planning and teaching, teachers access a range of resources and planning from the PLAN, ASE and Supporting Scientific Enquiry documents. Cross-curricular links are planned for, with other subjects. Teachers use highly effective assessment for learning in each lesson to ensure misconceptions are highlighted and addressed. Effective modelling by teachers ensures that children are able to achieve their learning intention, with misconceptions addressed within it. Through using a range of assessment tools in the PLAN documents, differentiation is facilitated by teachers, to ensure that each pupil can access the Science curriculum. Our Core Subject Assessment Tracker allows us to use data to inform future practice.
Effective use of education visits and visitors are planned, to enrich and enhance the pupil’s learning experiences within the Science curriculum. These include workshops, Science Week, Great Science Share as well as key events like the Bird Watch event and Science sessions at the local Secondary school.
Whole School Map for Science
Please click on the link below to access the whole school map for our Science Curriculum