Science
Intent
At Twineham, we want our children to be confident and curious pupils who apply their skills in a scientific way, using lines of enquiry across the curriculum and in later life. In line with our Golden Thread of ‘Can everything be proven?’ they should be able to ask and answer challenging questions and successfully carry out investigations with a good understanding of nature, processes and methods. Alongside this, they will have the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future.
Implementation
Our children begin their science experience in Reception, with informal investigation within the setting. Teachers facilitate children’s curiosity with open ended questions and clearly thought out learning experiences which are both child led and adult led.
In KS1, children continue to build on their science knowledge with more formal weekly science lessons where they are taught to use the following practical scientific methods, processes and skills: asking simple questions and recognising that they can be answered in different ways; observing closely, using simple equipment; performing simple tests; identifying and classifying; using their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions and gathering and recording data to help in answering questions.
Moving in to KS2 children, are to use the following practical scientific methods, processes and skills: asking relevant questions and using different types of scientific enquiries to answer them; setting up simple practical enquiries, comparative and fair tests; making systematic and careful observations and, where appropriate, taking accurate measurements using standard units, using a range of equipment, including thermometers and data loggers; gathering, recording, classifying and presenting data in a variety of ways to help in answering questions; recording findings using simple scientific language, drawings, labelled diagrams, keys, bar charts, and tables to report on findings from enquiries, including oral and written explanations, displays or presentations of results and conclusions; using results to draw simple conclusions, make predictions for new values, suggest improvements and raise further questions; identifying differences, similarities or changes related to simple scientific ideas and processes and using straightforward scientific evidence to answer questions or to support their findings.
Impact
The impact of this curriculum design will lead to outstanding progress over time, across key stages, relative to a child’s individual starting point and their progression of skills. Children will therefore be expected to leave Twineham reaching at least age related expectations for Science. Pupils will be enthusiastic Science learners and understand that science has changed our lives and that it is vital to the world’s future prosperity. We want to empower our children so they understand they have the capability to change the world. This is evidenced in a range of ways, their work including quizzes, formative assessment, pupil voice, their overwhelming enjoyment for science. Our Golden Threads will inform future planning to ensure children are given opportunity to build on prior knowledge and expand their understanding of Science.