Science

We follow a detailed progression of skills in Science. Click on the fab Science Club photo to see them in more detail.

SCIENCE PROGRESSION OF SKILLS

Click on the photo below to view the Science Progression of Skills:

SCIENCE PROGRESSION OF KNOWLEDGE

Click on the photo below to view the Science Progression of Knowledge:

SCIENCE PROGRESSION OF VOCABULARY

Click on the photo below to view the Science Progression of Vocabulary:

 

Intent

Our vision to distil a lifelong love of science within our pupils. Science has changed our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity. Science teaching at Greensted Primary School aims to give all children a strong understanding of the world around them whilst acquiring specific skills and knowledge to help them to think scientifically. We ensure children gain an understanding of scientific processes and an understanding of the uses and implications of Science, today and for the future through our fundamental principles of teaching Science.

Principles of Science Teaching In Greensted Primary School.

1. Purposeful learning

 

SciencePL2

 

 

 2.  Answer questions about the world around them

Science - AQ

 3.  Practical

Science - P

 4. Fun

Science - F

 5.  Investigative

Science - I

 6.  Collaborative

Science -C

 7.  Varied Lesson Structure

Science - VL

 8.  Children Lead Learning

Science - CLL

 

At Greensted Primary School, scientific enquiry skills are embedded in each topic the children study and these topics are revisited and developed throughout their time at school. Topics, such as Plants, are taught in Key Stage One and studied again in further detail throughout Key Stage Two. This model allows children to build upon their prior knowledge and increases their enthusiasm for the topics whilst embedding this procedural knowledge into the long-term memory.

All children are encouraged to develop and use a range of skills including observations, planning and investigations, as well as being encouraged to question the world around them and become independent learners in exploring possible answers for their scientific based questions. Specialist vocabulary for topics is taught and built up, and effective questioning to communicate ideas is encouraged. Concepts taught should be reinforced by focusing on the key features of scientific enquiry, so that pupils learn to use a variety of approaches to answer relevant scientific questions. We provide our children with wider opportunities in science and make links to other subjects, ensuring that the curriculum is a cohesive model of learning.

Teachers plan and challenge pupils based on the long term and medium-term curriculum maps and progression in skills. We monitor our schools progress in science regularly in line with our science policy.

Implementation

At Greensted Primary School we ensure established and new teachers have a high level of science subject knowledge by regular training and professional development. Teachers plan science lessons in year group teams and use assessment for learning to tailor lessons around our children. Teachers plan for the next steps in their children’s learning and ensure that the progression of skills required are being taught. Books are regularly marked to a high standard with next step marking that aims to extend children’s knowledge and scientific skills. Children are provided with regular opportunities to develop strategies for questioning and thinking.

At Greensted Primary School we strongly encourage all pupils to use specific topic related vocabulary so that they are exposed to a vocabulary rich curriculum. Through effective teaching of science, we develop children’s knowledge and key skills during each topic. Over the key stage this knowledge and the skills required are built upon in a progressive way. Our standards are high, and we ensure that the same standards we expect in English and Mathematics are applied in Science lessons. Cross curricular links are evident in children’s work showing that we have a fully immersive curriculum.

Regular monitoring shows that our children understand and apply key scientific principles within their work. In our school we have a rigorous monitoring process which is kept up to date and works towards our school improvement plan. 

Impact

Our Science Curriculum is high quality, well thought out and is planned to demonstrate progression. If children are keeping up with the curriculum, they are deemed to be making good or better progress. By the time children leave in Year 6, the children will have embedded the skills and knowledge taught from Year 3. In this way we ensure that children are Key Stage 3 ready.

Children at Greensted Primary School enjoy and are enthusiastic about science lessons. There is a clear progression of children’s work and teachers’ expectations in our school, which is ensured through regular moderation meetings both within our school and then more widely within our Multi Academy Trust. Children’s work shows a range of topics and evidence of the curriculum coverage for all science topics. In addition, the use of skills ensures that children are not just learning a series of facts. Children are becoming increasingly independent in science, selecting their own tools and materials, completing pupil lead investigations and choosing their own strategies for recording.

Skilled feedback from teachers has a strong impact on our pupils, often with next step questions to push learning on.

 

Please click the link below to view the Science Policy

Science Policy