Intent

At Becket Primary we aim to provide our pupils with a broad foundation of scientific knowledge and a good understanding of scientific enquiry.

We intend to provide opportunities so that the children can better understand the world around them and develop their scientific vocabulary to accurately articulate their findings.

Scientific enquiry underpins our curriculum. We aim to develop the key skills of prediction, observation, fair testing and pattern seeking to allow pupils to become independent investigators with curious minds.

Within the science curriculum, we foster links to other curriculum areas, giving the pupils opportunities to master maths and technology skills.

By the end of key stage 2, we aim to equip our young people with the science knowledge, vocabulary and skills to confidently transition into secondary education and beyond.

Implementation

Science is a core curriculum subject which falls within the ‘Understanding Science and Technology’ area of learning. Science is taught as discrete series of lessons, following the programmes of study within the 2014 National Curriculum, but also crosses into other curriculum areas.

A published scheme of work is not followed for science but teachers access lesson ideas from a range of sources and ideas. The time allocation for Science is approximately 2 hours per week, however lessons are usually blocked over a series of afternoon sessions.

Science in Foundation stage is taught through objective led planning and continuous provision mainly based on the objectives in ‘Understanding the World’ area of learning. Children are encouraged to develop the characteristics of effective learning which then underpins the scientific enquiry skills taught throughout key stage one and two.

Scientific Enquiry (observing, pattern seeking, classifying, comparative/fair testing and researching) is taught within every science topic. When carrying out fair tests, the pupils use the school’s planning sheets until they become secure in this area. Some enquiry skills such as measuring and recording data in tables, charts and graphs are consolidated through other curriculum areas.

Teaching staff model the correct use of scientific vocabulary to help develop this in all pupils. Key scientific vocabulary is displayed during the teaching of each science topic, and pupils are encouraged to learn the spelling of it.

In order to promote the confidence of pupils to take part in discussions, teaching staff help all pupils to articulate their findings. This allows any scientific misunderstanding to be quickly addressed.

Within science, more able learners are encouraged to learn using more challenging objectives. Children who need extra support are given scaffolds and extra direction from teaching staff and peers.

Our science curriculum is enriched through links with other organisations such as Rolls-Royce, Sinfonia ViVA, Learn by Design and Landau Forte Master Classes.