Science

Our Science Curriculum is age appropriate, well thought out and is planned to demonstrate progression across the three main science disciplines. If children are keeping up with the curriculum, they are deemed to be making good or better progress. The lessons are engaging; include real-life examples and allow them to become resilient and resourceful learners.

In addition, through reading age appropriate specifically selected texts, our children are exposed to the scientific knowledge that they will need prior to completing investigative experiments. Finally, children are independently able to apply their knowledge so we can measure the impact of our curriculum through the following methods:

• A reflection on standards achieved against the planned outcomes;
• A celebration of learning for each term which demonstrates progression across the school;
• Tracking of knowledge in pre and post learning quizzes;
• Pupil discussions about their learning.

The Science curriculum is led and overseen by the Science curriculum lead. They will regularly, monitor, evaluate, and review Science teaching and learning, celebrating and sharing good practice. Formative assessments will be integrated into everyday Science teaching to ensure our team have an in-depth knowledge of the children’s learning and to inform their next steps. The National Curriculum and the Early Years Foundation Stage statuary framework will provide the basis of the Science curriculum which is then tailored to meet the learning and developmental needs of the children at Khalsa. We utilise Developing Experts to develop subject knowledge to assist in planning engaging lessons.

All planning will be informed by two fundamental, complimentary tenets:

• To develop technical skill and knowledge.
• To develop enjoyment of Science and experimentation.

Teachers plan Science around National Curriculum topics, linked, where possible, to an overarching half termly topic and follow a progression of skills which allows children to build upon prior knowledge and understanding.

Planning provides explicit opportunities for children to develop skills under the 5 umbrellas of scientific enquiry which will in turn help them to answer big questions about the world around them. Planning involves problem solving opportunities which develops children’s ability to apply their knowledge and skills, both independently and collaboratively, to find solutions to problems. To develop the curious learner and researcher, children are encouraged to ask questions and are provided with opportunities to use their scientific skills and research to discover the answers. This curiosity is celebrated within the classroom.

Teachers develop their knowledge of both historical and present-day scientists from a diverse range of backgrounds to ensure that children are exposed to different images of scientists and what a scientist looks like. Teachers create a positive attitude to science learning within their classrooms and reinforce an expectation that all pupils can achieve high standards in science. Existing knowledge is checked at the beginning of each topic; this ensures that teaching is informed by the children’s starting points and that it takes account of pupil voice, incorporating children’s interests where possible.

Learning opportunities are engaging and involve high-quality resources to aid understanding of conceptual knowledge. Conceptual knowledge and skills are assessed consistently though high-quality questioning to ensure all children stay on track and gaps in learning are addressed instantly. Scaffolds and challenge at all stages of the lessons hold high importance providing ensuring that the needs of all learners are met.

As the children’s knowledge and understanding increases, they become more proficient in selecting, using scientific equipment, collating and interpreting results. As well as this they become increasingly confident in their growing ability to come to conclusions based on real evidence. Working Scientifically skills are embedded into lessons to ensure that skills are systematically developed throughout the children’s school career and new vocabulary and challenging concepts are introduced through direct teaching. This is developed through the years, in-keeping with the topics. Children are presented with opportunities to share their work with the wider school community and with families. They are offered a wide range of extra-curricular activities, visits, trips and visitors to complement and broaden the curriculum. These are purposeful and link with the knowledge being taught in class.

Our science curriculum will ensure that our children:

• Are capable to demonstrate a love of science work and an interest in further study and work in this field.
• Retain knowledge that is pertinent to science with a real-life context.
• Can answer the big questions and the possess ability to use their knowledge to reflect and think critically.
• Display confidence when articulating their understanding of scientific concepts are able to reason scientifically using sophisticated, scientific terminology.
• Can work collaboratively and practically to investigate and experiment.
• Achieve beyond age related expectations in Science.

The successful approach at Khalsa Primary results in a fun, engaging, high-quality Science education, that provides children with the foundations and knowledge for understanding the world. Our engagement with the local environment ensures that children learn through varied and first-hand experiences of the world around them.

Frequent, continuous and progressive learning outside the classroom is embedded throughout the Science curriculum. Through various workshops, trips and interactions with experts and local charities, children have the understanding that Science has changed our lives and that it is vital to the world’s future prosperity.

Children learn the possibilities for careers in science and the STEM field, as a result of our community links and connection with national agencies including the STEM association. They learn from and work with professionals, ensuring access to positive role models within the field of science from the immediate and wider local community. From this exposure to a range of different scientists from various backgrounds, all children feel they are scientists and capable of achieving. Children at Khalsa Primary overwhelmingly enjoy science and this results in motivated learners with sound scientific understanding. As a result, our children leave as responsible exemplary citizens who are ready to contribute positively to our world.