Science
A Belton scientist can investigate and question the world around them; conducting experiments and recording their findings using appropriate scientific vocabulary. They will develop an awe and wonder about the world they live in which encourages them to question and explore.
Intent
At Belton Primary School we aim to develop our pupils as scientists, we want them to enjoy the subject and remember the exciting science in school. We aim to ensure that our pupils recognise the importance of Science in every aspect of their daily lives and understand the range of different career opportunities that use science skills. In an area rich in engineering and scientific industries, we want to make sure our learners are enthused about science and see this as a valuable and exciting career pathway for all. It is crucially important to us that diversity is reflected in our curriculum and that science is seen as a subject open to all and a possible future career that is blind to race, gender and lifestyle. Our Science curriculum will enable our children to increase their knowledge and understanding of our world, developing the skills associated with Science as a process of enquiry and endeavour to provide them with the confidence and motivation to continue to further develop their skills. By developing their natural curiosity, we encourage respect for living organisms and the physical environment and provide opportunities to be reflective and critical of evidence.
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. As a school we have decided to adopt Developing Experts, which ensures coverage of the National Curriculum. Our choice of Developing Experts encourages children to be inquisitive throughout their time at school and beyond. It ensures all children learn and retain knowledge throughout the programme of study and this is revisited at the start of the lesson. In each lesson, pupils are given key facts and knowledge through a storytelling approach to learning. Further to this, each lesson offers Rocket Words, these are key words and meanings to learn; vocabulary which is then repeated throughout the lesson, quizzed on at the end and repeated at the beginning of the following lesson.
All our lessons contain a balance of the different ‘Working Scientifically Skills’ and ‘Scientific Enquiry’ types, so that children practise a broad range of skills throughout the curriculum. We promote the importance of an investigative approach through regular ‘hands on’ experiences. Children work scientifically during lessons and work collaboratively developing skills and investigating different concepts and ideas. This encourages resilience, determination, perseverance, communication, collaboration and questioning. We mix the content knowledge and investigation skills needed to solve Science problems and make decisions and predictions based on what they have learned. We have adopted Science superheroes so that children are familiar with the different types of Scientific enquiry. Our lessons also allow our pupils to practise their Mathematics and English whilst developing their reasoning and problem-solving skills. By linking Science concepts to everyday life, our pupils can understand the world around them in a scientific way. This will enable pupils to have transferable skills across other subject disciplines, without impacting on the collection of specific scientific knowledge and skills, ensuring that pupils retain knowledge that will readily prepare them for secondary school.
We have developed a two year rolling programme which covers our mixed - age classes.
Understanding the world involves guiding children to make sense of their physical world and their community. The frequency and range of children’s personal experiences increases their knowledge and sense of the world around them – from visiting parks, libraries and local areas to meeting important members of society such as police officers, nurses and firefighters. In addition, listening to a broad selection of stories, non-fiction, rhymes and poems will foster their understanding of our culturally, socially, technologically and ecologically diverse world. To further support their understanding of the natural world, children follow Developing Experts and use scientific enquiry skills from an early age as a basis for future learning; skills which are further embedded through play with links to all areas of the curriculum. As well as building important knowledge, playing and talking about the world around them extends familiarity with words and enriches and widens children’s vocabulary.
Impact
Children’s engagement is seen in their enthusiasm for learning. Children enjoy their learning and this is reflected. They take pride in their work and demonstrate good learning behaviours in school. Children understand where their knowledge fits into the outside world and why it is important to learn about all the different areas of the curriculum. They are able to demonstrate knowledge through pupil voice and also across wider subjects. Children are able to articulate themselves using acquired vocabulary from across the curriculum. Children are able to apply their Scientific enquiry skills to solve new problems and explain how and why they solved them.
- 1._science_with_ice.pdf
- 3._egg-citing_science.pdf
- 21._science_fun_at_home_-_science_in_stories.pdf
- science_for_one_3_foil.pdf
- science_for_one_4_playdough.pdf
- science_for_one_5_egg_box.pdf
- science_fun_at_home_5_spider_safari.pdf
- science_for_one_8_bottle.pdf
- science_fun_at_home_8_water.pdf
- science_fun_at_home_7_musical_science.pdf