Science

We are scientists

Intent

At Southborough Primary School, we recognise the importance of Science in 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 and understanding of our world, and with developing skills associated with Science as a process of enquiry. In order to do this, we at Southborough have adopted the Harmony Curriculum which focuses on the seven concepts of: Health, Interdependence, Diversity, Cycles, Adaptation, Oneness and Geometry.

At Southborough Primary School, in conjunction with the aims of the National Curriculum and The Harmony Project, our Science teaching offers opportunities for children to:

• Develop an understanding of the nature, processes and methods of Science through enquiries that help them to ask and 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.
• Use a range of methods to communicate their scientific information and present it in a systematic, scientific manner, including I.C.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.
  At Southborough Primary School, children have weekly lessons in Science throughout Key Stage 1 and 2. In Early Years, Science is taught through the children learning about the world around them. This will happen through direct teaching or children accessing structured play activities. Additional opportunities to explore Science are provided through educational visits and using the local environment.

Implementation
Teachers create a positive attitude to Science learning within their classrooms and reinforce an expectation that all children are capable of achieving high standards in Science. Our whole school approach to the teaching and learning of Science involves the following:

• Science will be taught in planned and arranged units by the class teacher. This is a strategy to enable the achievement of a greater depth of knowledge and with the Harmony curriculum will be linked to other areas of the curriculum.
• Every class has an interactive Harmony Project Learning Wall with links to the topic
• Children are encouraged to ask their own questions and are given opportunities to use their scientific skills and research to discover the answers. This curiosity is celebrated within the classroom. Planning involves teachers creating engaging lessons, often involving high-quality resources to aid understanding.
• Teachers use precise questioning in class to test knowledge and assess children regularly to identify those children with gaps in learning, so that all children keep up.
• Formative assessments are made regularly.
• We build upon the learning and skill development of the previous years. As the children’s knowledge and understanding increases, and they become more proficient in selecting, using scientific equipment, collating and interpreting results.
• New vocabulary and challenging concepts are introduced through direct teaching. This is developed through the years, in keeping with the units of learning and the Harmony Principles.
• Teachers demonstrate how to use scientific equipment
• Teachers find opportunities to develop children’s understanding of their surroundings by accessing outdoor learning.
• Monitoring of Science takes place with strengths and next steps identified. Lesson visits, book looks and pupil voice are used to inform monitoring, assessment and judgements.
• Pupil voice is used to further develop the Science curriculum, through questioning of pupil’s views and attitudes to Science to support the children’s enjoyment of Science.

Impact
The successful approach at Southborough Primary school means that:

Children have a clear understanding of the world around them and an understanding of how they can be responsible citizens.

• Standards in Science at the end of the key stages are good and children are able to articulate the different themes of the Harmony Curriculum.
• Children enjoy and are enthusiastic about Science in our school.
• There is a clear progression of children’s learning in our school.
• Children are ready for their next steps in Science learning as they move through school and onto Secondary School.
• Children are becoming increasingly independent in Science, selecting their own tools and materials, completing pupil lead investigations and choosing their own strategies for recording.