Science
Intent:
A high quality science education should provide children with opportunities to explore their World to develop their understanding of the universe around them. It is our belief it should foster curiosity within children to question the world around them, empowering them with the science knowledge and skills to apply what they learn.
To be successful scientists children need to ask questions, make predictions based on their prior knowledge and build upon this to reach an answer. We believe today’s learners will be the scientists of tomorrow and therefore need to equip them with the skills and knowledge required as well as rich experiences which enable this to happen.
At Cupernham Infant School Science is taught directly within structured lessons and through opportunities within daily school life. This allows for children’s interests to be followed as well as expanding their knowledge within areas they may not have experienced before. Teaching science throughout our creative curriculum allows strong connections to be made across all subjects.
Our amazing outdoor environment allows children to explore the natural world, carry out field investigations and develop their understanding of the World around them. Learning outside is a key feature throughout the year, allowing children to experience a range of differing seasonal changes. As children are familiar with the environment and situations within this learning is more relatable and meaningful to the children.
When children leave Cupernham Infant we want children to be curious, ask questions about the World around them and investigate these. We want children to have experienced moments of awe and wonder and develop their natural inquisitiveness. Through learning about real-life scientists children begin to understand the opportunities for later life and challenge the stereotypes children may already hold.
Aims:
The National Curriculum for Science aims to ensure that all Pupils develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding, develop understanding of the nature of science through conducting a variety of investigations and understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future.
At Cupernham Infant School our aims for every child are:
- To develop an enthusiasm and love for science based on their own curiosities.
- To ensure learning is meaningful, relatable and fun.
- To question the World around them and problem solve.
- To establish the key skills needed to question, investigate and conclude.
- To develop children’s science skills to enable them to plan, carry out and conclude a range of investigations, with growing independence.
- To inspire children for their futures.
Implementation:
Our science curriculum focusses on key areas of learning within science, e.g. plants, animals, materials and many more. Learning has to begin through enquiry based teaching, based on the children’s own curiosities and building upon their prior knowledge. As these topics are taught across all years knowledge is developed over time and children’s previous experiences built upon.
Across all years we take an experience led and hands on approach. This approach allows children to experiment with different variables and broaden their knowledge through asking further questions, adapted from the main focus.
Within the foundation stage children are introduced to science through Understanding the World, in particular through the Natural World. This is tailored to each individual cohorts needs and interests, following the children’s learning journey. By the end of the Early Years Stage children will have developed their exploration skills through a range of opportunities.
In Key Stage One the curriculum follows specifics topics, as well as allowing children to follow their independent learning journeys when opportunities arise. Children’s previous knowledge is built on after the solid foundations are established and then continue to grow across the years, as knowledge and skills are revisited and developed.
Their scientific skills are introduced from the very beginning, with the Early Years Stage introducing key scientific skills such as questioning. These are then developed, allowing them to be competent scientists, ready for the next stage of their journey. As these scientific skills develop children take more ownership over their investigations, from the starting questions to how they measure and then the recording of the findings. Safety and responsibility is promoted across the years.
These investigations vary in time to allow children to observe a range of phenomenon and results. Changes over time are also explored within longitudinal studies across all year groups and develop children’s knowledge from previous year’s studies.
Impact:
At Cupernham Infant School we care about the whole child. Through our science curriculum we encourage children to be naturally inquisitive about the World around them and develop the knowledge they acquire, to further their understanding. Throughout children’s time with us opportunities will be provided to follow their own inquisitiveness and develop their ability to ask and investigate questions and phenomena.
At the end of both the Early Year Foundation stage and Key Stage 1 children will be assessed by their teachers to establish their understanding of key elements and ensure children have the necessary skills for their next journey.
We aim to excite children through hooks relevant to them which create a sense of awe and wonder and provides the foundations for them asking questions and understanding the ever changing world around them.
Science Subject Overview:
Science Subject Progression:
Longitudinal Study