Science

Intent

At Summerlea School we aim to ignite pupils’ curiosity and encourage them to explore and discover the world around them through investigating, questioning and through exciting learning experiences. Children will be taught how to think like a scientist - to observe, to hypothesise, to predict and conclude. They will make links and connections between their learning so their knowledge is secure.

*Children will lead their learning

*Children will question their own understanding

*Children will understand and use scientific vocabulary

*Children will use their learning and enquiry skills in the future

*Children will be encouraged to get answers from trial and error

When describing this vision, the scientific enquiry and knowledge is carefully organised by each year group through knowledge organisers; a year group long-term plan and sequentially into a short-term plan which articulates the content knowledge, vocabulary and skills at a greater level. It is our intention that children are able to lead their own learning when investigating, they are given a question and resources and allowed to explore with the teacher facilitating and assisting through guidance and questioning.

Implementation

Our classroom learning environments are consistent in having the Science key vision and principles clearly displayed alongside key facts and vocabulary, this is further explained to increase the children’s understanding and is changed whenever a new unit of work takes place. At the beginning of a topic, concept maps with key questions to establish a platform to build upon are completed. This is then reviewed at the end of the topic to show the progression in learning. In the wider school community science club and science focused assemblies regularly take place along with there being a science ambassador in every class allows a continued exposure to the subject and through specific hooks gains children’s interest.

It is vital for children to acquire key scientific knowledge and vocabulary progression of skills through each unit and every lesson has a clear focus. Scientific knowledge and enquiry skills are developed with increasing depth and challenge as children move through the year groups with the opportunity to answer, discuss and address any misconceptions. Children complete investigations and hands-on activities while gaining the scientific knowledge for each unit. Children are given the opportunity to regularly review and evaluate their own understanding. Throughout the school activities and investigations are effectively differentiated, with appropriate adult support in place so that all children are adequately challenged and supported.

Across the year groups, teachers have an increased understanding so work is taught at an age appropriate standard with opportunities planned in for pupils exploring learning objectives in greater depth. Attainment and progress can be measured across the school using our assessment spreadsheets, which is updated by teachers after every block of learning. The impact of using the full range of resources included in the science unit will also be seen across the school with an increase in the profile of science.

As children progress through the year groups, they build on their skills in working scientifically, as well as on their scientific knowledge, as they develop greater independence in planning and carrying out fair and comparative tests to answer a range of scientific questions. Children will learn about a different scientist each month with the objective to focus on different ethnicities, backgrounds and genders to grab children’s curiosity and teach them that science can be found everywhere.

Impact

At Summerlea School, children can use their voice taking Science learning and understanding forward thus providing teachers insight of what they have learnt and what they have changed and future learning can be adapted if necessary. There is a focus on scientific vocabulary and children are encouraged to use this when writing and talking about their learning experience, thus giving children a deeper understanding of science and this exposure has seen children use scientific vocabulary in other subjects when appropriate.

Subject Leaders have completed and submitted a portfolio for the Primary Science Quality Mark (PSQM) and have applied for the Gilt award. This portfolio displayed all of the hard work that has been completed at the school in the teaching of science including pupil teacher, and parent voice. This portfolio highlighted the positive impact of science teaching at Summerlea whilst providing analysis and reflection of areas that can be strengthened and improved in the future.

Whole-school, parental engagement and collaboration with locality schools, though already in place, will be improved through the use of science-specific home learning tasks and community activities continuing to increase the science capital that has been established. Children are enthused by science and feel confident in their scientific knowledge and enquiry skills, applications for science club were over-subscribed due to the demand in children wanting to attend. From lesson observations teaching actively encourages children to be curious and look for science in the real world and be aware that science is everywhere.

To view our science curriculum, click here.