Intent

It is our intention in Science to develop in all young people a lifelong curiosity and interest in the sciences. When planning for the science curriculum, we intend for children to have the opportunity, wherever possible, to learn through varied investigations, leading to them being equipped for life to ask and answer scientific questions about the world around them. As children progress through the year groups, they build on their skills in working scientifically, as well as on their scientific knowledge, as they develop greater independence in planning and carrying out fair and comparative tests to answer a range of scientific questions. Each science topic has an accompanying knowledge organiser which can be used to help reinforce the key knowledge for each unit as set out in the science national curriculum. The knowledge organisers help children to consolidate and retain the science knowledge they have learnt and also reinforce key scientific vocabulary from each unit. The Science scheme of work ensures that children have a varied, progressive and well-mapped-out science curriculum that provides the opportunity for progression across the full breadth of the science national curriculum for KS1 and KS2.

At Green Park School we aim to give children the opportunity to learn about scientists from a range of cultures and times.

Green Park scientists will…

• Be able to think independently and ask questions.
• Be able to raise questions about working scientifically and the knowledge and skills that it brings.
• Be confident and competent in a full range of practical skills.
• Be able to plan and carry out scientific investigations.
• Have excellent scientific knowledge and understanding.
• Can demonstrate their understanding a range of ways, verbally or written.
• Be able to solve challenging problems and report scientific findings.
• Be able to apply their scientific skills in a variety of ways.
• Be aware of pioneering scientists and the impact they had on the world today.
• Have a passion for science and its application in past, present and future technologies.​

Implementation

At Green Park school we follow Rosenshine’s principles of instruction to teach all children Science. This follows 10 principles:

1. New material is broken into small steps, building confidence step by step.
2. Teachers model, thinking aloud showing the children a step by step guide with them practicing partially completed questions.
3. When needed, teachers will provide a scaffold for difficult tasks. This may include checklists, writing frames and anticipating misconceptions and errors.
4. Questioning is a key part to science lessons. Teachers are able to provide opportunities for the children to practice their scientific understanding and skills as well as using questioning to determine how well the learning has been learned, informing their decision to move on or provide additional information.
5. Teachers regularly check children’s understanding of science, asking children to explain what they have understood rather than have they understood.
6. Teachers will work with children to guide their practice, asking questions, elaborating on key scientific understanding or skills and checking their understanding.
7. Making sure all children understand what they have been asked to do and that there is a high success rate in understanding the small steps taught is essential before asking children to their independent work. Teachers are encouraged to re-teach if needed before moving onto independent work.
8. Children will move onto independent practice when they have overlearned the small steps taught. Overlearning ensures that the children have fluency when applying their scientific knowledge and skills.
9. Science lessons also begin with a review of what the children have previously learnt. This is essential before any new learning can be introduced. This may be done in the form of a quiz.
10. Children’s science learning should be reviewed regularly so that they are well-connected and can retrieve information automatically.

At Green Park School, Science is equitable and accessible to all children.

In Foundation children are given the time to explore and observe through their play both inside and outside. Children are encouraged to predict and test their ideas through their play and teachers help develop their vocabulary and knowledge through high quality interactions. Children are encouraged to name, use and experience resources and equipment and to make connections between what they already know and new understanding. Children are given enriched experiences, such as visits to the woods, allotment and visitors to help them understand the world around them. Children will learn through stories about famous scientists.
In KS1 teachers create opportunities for all children to experiment and explore the world around them. The curriculum is designed to develop scientific and specific vocabulary to allow the children to fully explain their understanding and knowledge. Children are given the opportunity to revisit and recap in each lesson and where possible cross curricular links will be used. Stereotypes, such as gender and BAME, are challenged and achievements in the past are celebrated. Children are encouraged to aspire high and are made to feel as though they could be a scientist.

In KS2 links and connections are made across other curriculum subjects to highlight scientific discoveries as well as their understanding and skills. Children are given time to explore, observe and record practical sessions in a range of ways. Technical vocabulary is taught and supported by knowledge organisers. Children are encouraged to think like scientists and develop their scientific skills through investigations. Enriched experiences support the learning of science and notable scientists are studied, again breaking down any gender or BAME stereotypes. Children learn about current scientific practise within the world and how this has helped shape medicine and discoveries in our world today.

At Green Park school science lessons are engaging and brought to life through visitors, school trips and using the outside. Teachers share their own interest for science to inspire the children’s own love of the subject and to see how it has shaped the world we live in today. During science week the school works together to show the importance of science to our school and community. We endeavor to show our British values through this subject.

Impact

The impact of our curriculum design in science will lead to progress over time, across key stages, relative to a child’s starting point and their progression of skills. Children will leave Green Park School reaching at least age related expectations for science.

Outcomes in science books demonstrate the children’s knowledge and skills. Children review their learning at the end of each lesson and then again at the beginning of the next. Children are encouraged to review their learning through quizzes and weekly/monthly reviews. Teachers formally assess children’s science ability three times a year and their progress and attainment is monitored carefully.

Through trips and workshops our curriculum will lead learners to be enthusiastic scientists and they will understand how science has changed the world we live in and will continue to do so.

By the time children leave our school they should have developed:

• The skills to think independently and ask questions.
• The skills to work scientifically and raise questions about the knowledge and skills they brings.
• A full range of practical skills.
• The skills needed to plan and undertake scientific investigations.
• Excellent scientific knowledge and understanding.
• A passion for science and an understanding of the way it has shaped past, present and future technologies.
• The skills to demonstrate their understanding and scientific findings in a range of ways.
• An understanding of scientists that have impacted the world today.​