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Science is organised knowledge. Wisdom is organised life.

Immanuel Kant

Science Intent

Science seeks to explain the material world.

At Newton Primary School we aim to support children in making sense of the world around them. We aim to provide a curriculum which will develop their knowledge of scientific concepts and create experiences which will stimulate a sense of awe and wonder of the world they live in.

Children will be taught a substantive knowledge of each topic of the National Curriculum. We aim to do this by providing an environment in which children encounter a wealth of scientific vocabulary, rich texts and opportunities to organise and share their knowledge, so it can be remembered and built on in subsequent years.

Their understanding will be further developed by practising science, through scientific procedures. Children will carry out practical tasks using scientific and mathematical equipment, experiencing trips, visits and fieldwork when appropriate.

As the depth of children’s knowledge is acquired, they will make links to prior learning and raise questions for future enquiry. By supporting them to be part of this process, and providing every child with positive and inspiring experiences in science, we aim for them to be more independent and confident in exploring the world around them.

Aims

• impart knowledge of scientific models, laws and theories relating to each of the topics stated in the National Curriculum
• further develop knowledge through scientific practice and enquiry
• develop understanding of science through investigation – raising questions, planning fair tests, making predictions, recording results appropriately and drawing conclusions
• use scientific equipment safely and carefully
• develop the ability to work and communicate with others
• relate their scientific knowledge to the world around them
• give the children a greater understanding of how the world is changing, and how they can live their lives in a more environmentally sensitive way.
• promote an interest and respect for all living things and their environment

Science Implementation

We aim to provide children with rich learning experiences in science

• Lessons are planned and delivered using the National Curriculum as a framework. The key knowledge and skills are taught as part of each National Curriculum topic.
• Children build their knowledge, skills and vocabulary by following a spiral curriculum, allowing them to carry out processes in different year groups and revisit topics so their skills and knowledge becomes embedded.
• A broad and balanced science curriculum is taught to all children throughout the school
• Lessons are initiated through raising a question to be answered to help stimulate an enquiring mind
• A variety of resources and teaching methods, including the use of ICT, are used to enhance the learning experience
• Full investigations may be carried out, using planning boards, to help children develop investigative skills – observing, measuring, predicting, hypothesising, experimenting, recording, communicating, interpreting, explaining, and evaluating.
• A variety of differentiation strategies are used in the teaching of science to support children’s learning and allow progress in all lessons
• The teaching of Science in the Early Years Foundation Stage is entirely through topic based experiential learning
• Children will use other National Curriculum subjects in their science work, making cross curricular links
• The importance of safety procedures when using scientific equipment and resources will be taught when appropriate

Science Impact

The teaching and learning of science will be monitored by the science coordinator throughout the school. Teachers will be responsible for the assessment of children’s progress and reporting this to parents at the end of the year.

At Newton Primary School we hope that through our teaching of science we give children knowledge, skills and understanding that will benefit them in the future. Our teaching should develop a sense of awe in science and motivate children to become confident, self-motivated and independent learners who leave our school with a thirst for the challenge of science in the future. They should see science not only as a subject taught in school, but as a tool to develop future careers or hobbies and interests that may stay with them for the rest of their lives and impact our environment positively.