Science
Science Week 2022
The theme for Science Week this year was Growth.
There were lots of exciting things going on across school!
Reception and Year 1
Reception and Year 1 camouflaged themselves in habitats and then camouflaged some animals. Can you spot them?!
Year 2
Year 2 spent some time with the trees around our school, taking rubbings and studying them closely. They also had good fun measuring how tall the trees are!
Our writing focused on the famous ecologist Rachel Carson whose work was important for our wildlife and plants.
Year 5 and 6
Year 5 and 6 used Marie Maynard Daly as their scientist to focus on and talked about how her work helped us to understand how to keep our bodies fit and healthy.
They carried out an investigation into how different exercises affect their heart rate and recorded this data using bar charts.
They also created some pieces of art work inspired by DNA structures.
Intent, Implementation Impact Statement
Intent
At Beckermet Primary School, we are committed to providing all children with learning opportunities to engage in Science and scientific enquiry. Science at Beckermet Primary School aims to develop a fun, practical and engaging high-quality curriculum that inspires the next generation to succeed and excel in Science. We want our children to love science. We want them to have limitless ambitions and to grow up wanting to be astronauts, vets, microbiologists and engineers. We do this by fully adhering to the aims of the National Curriculum and fostering a healthy curiosity and interest in the Sciences.
We ensure that the Working Scientifically skills are built-on and developed progressively throughout children’s time at the school. They can then apply their knowledge of Science when using equipment, conducting experiments and investigations, building arguments and explaining concepts, being familiar with scientific terminology and, most importantly, to continue to ask questions and be curious about their surroundings.
Wherever possible we intend to deliver lessons where children learn through varied practical investigations, leading to them being equipped to ask and answer scientific questions about the world around them.
Implementation
At Beckermet Primary School, Science topics are taught within each year group in accordance with the National Curriculum. In mixed age classes Science topics are taught on a two-year rolling program to ensure coverage.
The whole-school approach to the teaching and learning of Science includes the following:
- Science topic blocks are carefully planned and adapted by the class teacher to ensure all children and all abilities are catered for.
- Knowledge and skills are progressive and are built upon across year groups to equip children with the scientific abilities needed to move forward in their academic careers.
- All classes have access to appropriate resources and these resources are routinely audited.
- Children are encouraged to explore and question, enabling them to predict, plan and carry out investigations and observations.
- Planning of precise questions to encourage scientific thinking and to test conceptual knowledge, allowing teachers to identify the gaps in learning.
- Children present their findings using increasingly complex Working Scientifically skills including diagrams, tables, graphs and scientific vocabulary.
- Cross-curricular opportunities are planned linking Maths, English, DT, Computing and Art to Science.
- Effective assessment for learning is used by teachers to identify gaps and address any misconceptions.
- High level CPD is available for staff to access to ensure subject knowledge is maintained and opportunities for further enrichment are followed up.
- British Science Week is celebrated within school to promote the profile of Science and encourage children to explore topics more freely.
TAPS Assessment
We use the TAPS model for assessing the Working Scientifically aspect of the curriculum. This involves a focussed practical assessment used in the middle of a topic to highlight which scientific skills the children are demonstrating.
Tracking
The insight offered by the TAPS assessment is used to inform teacher assessed tracking which is shared with the Subject lead.
Floor books
We use floor books as a key part of learning within Science lessons. Throughout all year groups the floor books are used as a record of learning for both teachers and children. A working wall in a book, they can be used for formative and summative assessment as well as a class record of investigations and activities.
EYFS
The Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum supports children’s understanding of Science through the planning and teaching of ‘Understanding the World.’ Children find out about objects, materials and living things using all of their senses. They look at similarities, differences, patterns and change. Both the environment and skilled practitioners foster curiosity and encourage explorative play. Children are motivated to ask questions about why things happen and how things work. Our children are encouraged to use the natural environment around them to explore.
Impact
After the implementation of our Science curriculum, pupils should leave primary school equipped with the scientific skills, curiosity and enthusiasm to form a strong foundation for their Science learning at Key Stage 3 and beyond.
The impact of this curriculum design is that children will:-
- Make excellent progress over time, across Key Stages, relevant to their starting point and progression of skills.
- Be enthusiastic Science learners.
- Understand the crucial role Science plays in the world around us.
- Hold ambitions to pursue further learning or a career in STEM.
- Meet the end of key stage expectations outlined in the National Curriculum for Science
