Science
Aims of the National Curriculum
The national curriculum for science aims to ensure that all children:
- Develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics
- Develop understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through different types of science enquiries that help them to answer scientific questions about the world around them
- Are equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future
IMPLEMENTATION
Our definition of science
Science is a way to understand our world by carefully thinking about it and testing our guesses with observations and experiments.
The big ideas of science
The Big Ideas of Science are recurring themes that appear throughout the curriculum in all series. Each Learning Point that is taught will link to a Big Idea.T he ‘Big Ideas’ focus on the 4 main components of scientific knowledge:
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Earth Science
The idea is the brain child of Chris Such, one of the most generous –spirited educators you could ever meet. https://primarycolour.home.blog/2021/04/07/curriculum-giveaway-2-0-science/
Curriculum Guidance
Our Science Leader has created a suite of core curriculum guidance for Years 1-6 in order to centralise resources for staff and ensure consistency across the school. For each year group and unit of Science, staff have access to:
- The Big Ideas of science
- National Curriculum Statutory requirements for Knowledge and Understanding
- Relevant links to working scientifically
- A word wall
- Break down of unit into recommended lessons.
- Key Learning.
Additional resources are made available to staff through our online subscription to ‘Outstanding Science.’ https://www.outstandingscience.co.uk/index.php
Working scientifically
Working scientifically’ specifies the understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science for each year group. It should not be taught as a separate strand.
The notes and guidance give examples of how ‘working scientifically’ might be embedded within the content of biology, chemistry and physics, focusing on the key features of scientific enquiry, so that pupils learn to use a variety of approaches to answer relevant scientific questions.
- Demonstrate a love of science work and an interest in further study and work in this field. They will see careers in science as accessible to them and achievable
- Retain knowledge that is pertinent to Science with a real life context.
- Be able to question ideas and reflect on knowledge.
- Be able to articulate their understanding of scientific concepts and be able to reason scientifically using rich language linked to science.
- Understand the importance of caring for the natural world, conservation and care for the environment.
- Recall the lives and stories of famous scientists throughout history who can inspire us.
- Demonstrate a high love of mathematical skills through their work, organising, recording and interpreting results.
- Work collaboratively and practically to investigate and experiment.
- Achieve age related expectations in Science at the end of their cohort year.