Subject Lead: Mrs Bowler

Intent:

We recognise the importance of science in every aspect of daily life. As one of the core subjects, we give the teaching of science the prominence it requires. We aim to equip pupils with knowledge, skills and understanding and to encourage children to be inquisitive throughout their time at Holtspur School. Throughout the programmes of study, the children will acquire and develop the key knowledge that has been identified within each unit and across each year group. We will ensure that the Working Scientifically skills are built-on and developed throughout children’s time at the school so that they can apply their knowledge of science when using equipment, building arguments and explaining concepts confidently. We will encourage them to continue asking questions and to be curious about the world around them.

Implementation:

Early Years Foundation Stage

In the Foundation Stage, children are taught Science through the key area of learning set out within the EYFS Statutory Framework. Through a broad range of teacher-led, child-initiated and continuous learning opportunities, children will be taught to:
Use their senses to investigate a range of objects and materials.
Find out about, identify and observe the different features of living things, objects and worldly events.
Look closely at similarities, differences, patterns and change.
Ask questions about why things happen and why things work. Develop their communication and co-operation skills.
Talk about their findings, sometimes recording them.
Identify and find out about features of the place they live and in the natural world around them.

Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2

In Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 Science is taught by the Class Teachers. This ensures that the quality of Science teaching throughout these Key Stages remains consistent. Science is taught every week for 2 hours with additional sessions being taught where and when possible. Science is taught in planned and arranged blocks. This is a strategy to enable the achievement of a greater depth of knowledge. Through our planning, we involve problem solving opportunities that allow children to find out for themselves. Children are encouraged to ask their own questions and be given opportunities to use their scientific skills and research to discover the answers. The heart of Science teaching at Holtspur School is our commitment to practical, explorative and investigative learning. We believe in a hands-on approach where children learn by doing it for themselves. This approach encourages our children to build resilience and become creative, critical thinkers. Our teaching and learning supports our curriculum by ensuring that lessons build on prior learning and provide opportunities for guided and independent practice. Regular events, such as Science Week, Science Fairs, project days or ‘Wow Days,’ allow all pupils to come off timetable, to provide broader provision and the acquisition and application of knowledge and skills.

Impact:

The successful approach at Holtspur School results in a fun, engaging, high-quality science education that provides children with the foundations and knowledge for understanding the world. Our children love Science!
Children will know more, remember more and understand more about the curriculum. Children retain prior-learning and explicitly make connections between what they have previously learned and what they are currently learning. All children will have:
A wider variety of skills linked to both scientific knowledge and understanding, and scientific enquiry/investigative skills.
A richer vocabulary which will enable them to articulate their understanding of taught concepts.
Confidence and a love of learning for all aspects of science.

Values:

The science curriculum embeds the values and ethos with being:

Respectful – promoting inclusion and diversity of ideas, viewpoints and opinions.

Kind – being patient with others and during an experiment, providing helpful feedback to promote oneself and further learning.

Safe – learning about specific scientific equipment, applying our knowledge to the environment and resources.

Ready – promoting self-awareness, patience, empathy and following the learnt scientific procedures.

Unique – by valuing creating thinkers, encouraging new ideas and thought processes and understanding differences in our world.

     Spider Umbrellas                           Investigating mirrors                    Testing materials                               Testing beaks