Science
What they say: The National Curriculum
Purpose of study
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.
Aims
The national curriculum for science aims to ensure that all pupils:
- 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.
What we say: Grange-Over-Sands purpose of science
Purpose of study: Intent
The children at our school live in an area of outstanding natural beauty and a site of special scientific interest, it is only right that they should learn why it is so special. The ability of people to understand the world they live in increasingly depends on their understanding of scientific ideas. Science allows us to learn reliably about nature – if an experimental result does not support a specific idea, then the idea has to be rejected or modified and then tested again. For most people, such understanding – by imagination or experimentation – comes through education. For our children it is a chance to ask questions, develop resilience and critical thinking. Science teaching at Grange CE Primary School aims to fulfil the requirements of the National Curriculum for science; providing a broad, balanced and differentiated curriculum; ensuring the progressive development of knowledge, skills and vocabulary and for the children to develop a love of science. Furthermore, we aim to inspire in pupils a curiosity and fascination about the natural and man-made world and a respect for the environment that will remain with them for the rest of their lives.
All pupils are encouraged to develop and use a range of skills including observations, planning and investigation, as well as being encouraged to question the world around them and become independent learners in exploring possible answers for the scientific based questions. Specialist vocabulary is taught and built up, and effective questioning to communicate ideas is encouraged. Concepts are reinforced by focusing on key feature of scientific enquiry, so that pupils learn to use a variety of approaches to answer relevant scientific questions.
Implement
Although some of the classes in school are mixed year groups, Science is taught in discrete lessons in individual year groups. Teachers have the same expectations during science lessons that they would have when teaching English or Mathematics. Lessons are planned to ensure progression from the previous teaching of the topic and include working scientifically. It is important to us at Grange that the children are taught the correct vocabulary so that they are able to question the world around them with confidence. A variety of teaching methods and approaches are used based upon the teacher’s judgement.
As well as giving the children to observe and experience real world situations through classroom teaching and our links with external organisations, such as BAE and the local high school. It gives them an opportunity to see worlds and things that they would not always get the opportunity to see while developing an understanding of how and why the world works.
Impact
The impact from a science curriculum with focus on the real world application and progression, with questioning at its heart, develops children that are not afraid to ask questions of the world around them and can see a future where they see science as a viable prospect. Through various workshops, trips and interactions with experts our Science curriculum will lead pupils to be enthusiastic Science learners and understand that science has changed our lives and that it is vital to the world’s future prosperity. We want to empower our children so they understand they have the capability to change the world, especially the natural world that surrounds them in Grange.
