Science
Intent
Whingate Primary School’s science curriculum is designed to teach learners scientific enquiry skills and scientific knowledge through the context of the school’s personalised aims: communication, live healthily, accept and respect, understand the wider world, dream big and explore. Science at Whingate follows the National Curriculum giving our children opportunities to explore their surroundings, communities and wider scientific issues through engaging lessons coupled with exciting opportunities, both theoretical and practical. We recognise the importance of raising children as responsible, curious thinkers who are able to process new information, reflect on it, think critically, and apply knowledge and skills to overcome challenges in our ever-changing world. Having a wider understanding of the three science strands and the ability to become enquiry-based learners will enable our children to have a better understanding of themselves and the wider world they live in as they grow up. In doing this we aim to develop children’s natural curiosity and excitement to pursue scientific enquiry, now and in the future
Implementation
Science is taught, along with the other foundation subjects, through a ‘Learning Journey’, which allows the children to learn about a specific area in some depth. We teach science in a planned, coherent way which is sequenced logically, ensuring that children learn and remember a rich body of scientific knowledge and acquire progressive enquiry skills. Scientific skills are covered in depth as part of the learning journey, and when appropriate, in blocks to fully embed the knowledge and skills. In Foundation Stage, we introduce the children to scientific concepts and begin their enquiry through Investigation Stations. In Key Stage 1, the children develop their scientific enquiry skills by asking questions, carrying out investigations and making simple observations. They study living things and their habitats, develop their familiarity with different materials, and look at seasonal changes. In Key Stage 2, we will extend our understanding of living things and their habitats, further develop our understanding of the properties and changes of materials (including the changing states of matter), begin to explore physical processes, and look more closely at human biology. In science, as in other subjects, pupils have wider opportunities to apply and practise their reading, writing and maths skills.
Impact
By the end of their primary education at Whingate, our learners will have gained a rich body of scientific knowledge and a wide range of transferable skills, which they can apply to other subjects and contexts. Assessment is ongoing and lessons are adapted based on the children’s needs and gaps in knowledge. This builds a rounded picture of each child as a scientist, using practical opportunities, demonstrations, discussions and presentations. This enables teachers to challenge children in their thinking and learning. We aspire for children to leave Whingate being able to discuss scientific concepts confidently, make links with real-life contexts and to have a desire to further develop their scientific understanding. We want them to be passionate about science and inspired to keep studying beyond school and then make a difference to the world.
CLICK BELOW FOR THE SCIENCE PROGRESSION OF KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS DOCUMENT...
CLICK BELOW FOR THE SCIENCE WHOLE SCHOOL OVERVIEW DOCUMENT...
''Equipped with his five senses, man explores the universe around him and calls the adventure Science.''
- Edwin Powell Hubble
A high-quality science education provides the foundations for understanding the world through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. Science has changed our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity, and all pupils should be taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science. Through building up a body of key foundational knowledge and concepts, pupils should be encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. They should be encouraged to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes.
- National curriculum 2014
Whingate's Core Principles of Science:
