Science
Intent
At Penketh South Community Primary School, the primary aim of the Science curriculum is to spark curiosity in our children; we want them to question why things happen and the way everything works.
The 2014 National Curriculum for Science aims to ensure that all children
- Develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics.
- Develop understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through different types of science enquiries that help them to answer scientific questions about the world around them.
- Are equipped with the scientific skills required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future.
At Penketh South, we know that children are naturally curious and we encourage them to question our universe and observe the world around them. We believe science encompasses the acquisition of knowledge, concepts, skills and positive attitudes. We ensure that the Working Scientifically skills are built-on and developed throughout their time at Penketh South. They will be equipped with skills so that they can use equipment, conduct experiments, build arguments and explain concepts confidently and continue to ask question.
Implementation
Teachers create a positive attitude to science within their classrooms and reinforce high expectations that all children are capable of achieving high standards in Science and become power contributors and responsible citizens of the future. Our whole school approach to the teaching and learning of science involves the following:
- Science will be taught weekly by the class teacher.
- We follow the National Curriculum and use PLAN resources from the ASE to support teachers in their planning.
- At the start of each topic, new vocabulary is introduced and revisited regularly.
- Key vocabulary is displayed on Science working walls in each classroom.
- A cover sheet is provided to the children at the beginning of a topic to introduce their new subject.
- Through our planning, children are encouraged to ask their own questions and be given opportunities to use their scientific skills and research to discover the answers.
Teachers use precise questioning in class to test conceptual knowledge and skills and assess children regularly to identify those children with gaps in learning, so that all children keep up. We build upon the learning and skill development of the previous years especially when revisiting subjects previously taught. Scientific skills are embedded into lessons to ensure they are being developed throughout the children's journey through Penketh South and new vocabulary and challenging concepts are introduced through direct teaching. This is developed through the years, in-keeping with the topics.
Teachers demonstrate how to use scientific equipment, and the various Working Scientifically skills in order to embed scientific understanding. Teachers find opportunities to develop children's understanding of their surroundings by accessing outdoor learning and local environment visits. Specialist visitors are invited in to support Science learning by building on the children's prior knowledge and aspire them to think of their futures and their prospective career paths.
Impact
At Penketh South Community Primary School, we recognise the importance of Science in every aspect of daily life. As one of the core subjects taught in Primary Schools, we give the teaching and learning of Science the prominence it requires.
The Scientific area of learning is concerned with increasing pupils’ knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the world around them, and it develops skills associated with Science as a process of enquiry. It will spark the natural curiosity of the child, fire their enthusiasm, encourage respect for living organisms and the physical environment and provide opportunities for critical evaluation of evidence.
At Penketh South Community Primary School, in conjunction with the aims of the National Curriculum, our Science teaching offers opportunities for children to:
- develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the different disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics;
- develop understanding of the nature, processes and methods of Science through different types of science enquiries that help them to answer scientific questions about the world around them;
- be equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of Science, today and for the future.
- develop the essential scientific enquiry skills to deepen their scientific knowledge.
- Use a range of methods to communicate their scientific information and present it in a systematic, scientific manner, including I.T., diagrams, graphs and charts.
- Develop a respect for the materials and equipment they handle with regard to their own, and other children’s safety.
- Develop an enthusiasm and enjoyment of scientific learning and discovery.
Click on the link below to see what we teach in Science: what the children need to know and understand and the skills and attitudes they will develop as they are learning in Science:-
For more detail, see class pages for more detail.