Lowerhouses CE Primary School

 Intent

Our science curriculum provides our children with the foundations to understand the world around them. Our aim is for all children to experience a curriculum which inspires curiosity, develops critical thinking skills and fosters a passion for scientific exploration. Through the teaching of the Early Years curriculum and the KS1 and KS2 National Curriculum for science, we aim to ensure that a deep understanding of the disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics is developed through the teaching of essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and use of science. We work to ensure that our children learn to question and investigate, developing an interest in the world around them.

Implementation 

Our science curriculum gives pupils the opportunity to develop both an interest in the discipline of science and a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. In science lessons, pupils are taught to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will develop and analyse causes. Through these lessons, children will develop their scientific enquiry skills in a range of ways including observing, predicting, interpreting results, communicating, questioning and hypothesising. Children are introduced to the idea of fair testing and often combine mathematical skills with scientific ones in order to identify trends and patterns. 

Children record their scientific work in a way which is appropriate to their age and ability.  This may range from a drawing or diagram at the beginning of Key Stage 1, to full experiment write ups, including results (graph, table, observations, etc.) and conclusions by the end of Key Stage 2. Each half term’s work will include at least one investigation to promote Scientific Enquiry.  

 Impact 

Formative assessment including questioning, marking, observation and challenge is used in lessons. At the end of a unit of work, teaching will record the outcomes and any misconceptions or gaps in learning are addressed to ensure the curriculum meets the needs of all learners.