Please click the link below to see Science coverage across school:
Intent
It is the intent of The Glebe Primary School to instil a lifelong love of Science into all of our pupils. From Nursery to Year 6 our pupils will build up a body of key foundational knowledge and concepts, as well as develop skills in scientific enquiry and questioning. We encourage children to be inquisitive and develop their natural curiosity, whilst increasing pupils’ knowledge and understanding of our world. We teach Science through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. We work progressively developing skills and building up a range of scientific vocabulary. Children have weekly lessons in Science throughout Key Stage 1 and 2 with children in Early Years learning about the world around them through play based activities. At The Glebe, science lessons are taught discreetly, with links being made across all curriculum areas where appropriate.
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 science by accessing outdoor learning and workshops with experts, as well as regular events such as Science Week. This allows pupils to come ‘off-timetable’ providing broader provision and encouraging opportunities to work with parents.
We intend for the children at The Glebe Primary School to be equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of Science, today and in the future. We endeavor to ensure that the Science curriculum we provide gives children confidence and motivation and builds up the resilience that will support them in all their other areas of learning as well as in other aspects of their lives. We provide all children regardless of ethnic origin, gender, class or ability, with a broad and balanced science curriculum, offering high quality teaching and learning experiences for all.
Implementation
At the Glebe, we ensure that all children are provided with rich learning experiences that aim to prepare our children for life in an increasingly scientific and technological world.
Science is taught consistently, once a week for up to two hours, but is discretely taught in many different contexts throughout all areas of the curriculum. Science is taught in blocks, arranged by the class teacher, to enable the achievement of a greater depth of knowledge. Working Scientifically skills are embedded into lessons to ensure these skills are being developed throughout the children’s school career, and new vocabulary is being introduced. Teachers use assessment for learning to tailor lessons around our children’s needs and help us plan for next steps.
Through our planning, we ensure problem solving opportunities and encourage our children to ask their own questions. Our curriculum gives children the opportunity to use their scientific skills and research to discover answers. Teachers create engaging lessons, building upon the learning and skill development of the previous years. As the children’s knowledge and understanding increases, they become more proficient in selecting and using scientific equipment and collating and interpreting results. They become increasingly confident in their growing ability to come to conclusions based on real evidence. Teachers find opportunities to develop children’s understanding of their surroundings by accessing outdoor learning and workshops with experts.
We maintain a high level of subject knowledge of science in our school by regular training and professional development. With effective subject management we are a well-equipped and resourced school. Regular monitoring shows that our children understand and apply key scientific principles within their work.
Impact
The successful approach at The Glebe Primary, results in a fun, engaging, high-quality science education, that provides children with the foundations for understanding the world. Our engagement with the local environment ensures that children learn through varied and first-hand experiences of the world around them. So much of science lends itself to outdoor learning, so we provide children with opportunities to experience this. Through various workshops, trips and interactions with experts, children have the understanding that science has changed our lives and that it is vital for the future. Children learn the possibilities for careers in science as a result of our community links and Raising Aspirations Weeks.
Pupil voice is used to further develop the Science curriculum, through questioning of pupil’s views and attitudes to Science to support children’s enjoyment and to motivate learners.
