Science Curriculum

Statement of Intent

At Elham Primary School, we aim to encourage and extend children’s innate sense of awe and wonder in the world around them. We want them to observe and question in more detail the physical world and living organisms, challenging ideas and questioning the “hows” and “whys”, critically evaluating evidence and noticing all 3 threads of Science: Biology, Chemistry and Physics. As one of the core subjects taught in Primary Schools, we give the teaching and learning of Science the prominence it requires. Through the children’s natural curiosity we will develop their process of enquiry and increase their knowledge and understanding of our world.

The National Curriculum provides the structure and skill development for the science curriculum being taught throughout the school with progression in skills and knowledge being at the heart of our teaching across the year groups.

At Elham Primary School:

Children have weekly lessons in Science throughout Key Stage 1 and 2, using various programmes of study and resources. In Early years, science is taught through the children learning about the world around them in their learning through play. 

Additional opportunities are provided in Science, such as an annual Science Week with links with local secondary schools, STEM leaders and Scientists from Industry. Educational  visits linked to the science curriculum are provided whenever possible as well as links with our Forest School and the amazing opportunities to observe flora and fauna in the rich environment of the local area. Charitable efforts with WWF including adoption of endangered species in each class and Pledge for the Planet encourage individual responsibility and Scientific awareness of global issues. 

We endeavour to ensure that the Science curriculum we provide will give children the confidence and motivation to continue to further develop their skills into the next stage of their education and life experiences and apply their knowledge and understanding into their everyday understanding of our ever changing world.

Statement of Implementation
Teachers create a positive attitude to science learning within their classrooms and reinforce an expectation that all children are capable of achieving high standards in science. Our whole school approach to the teaching and learning of science involves the following; 

• Science will be taught in planned and arranged topic blocks by the class teacher. This is a strategy to enable the achievement of a greater depth of knowledge.
• Through our planning, we involve problem solving opportunities that allow children to find out for themselves. Children are encouraged to ask their own questions and be given opportunities to use their scientific skills and research to discover the answers. This curiosity is celebrated within the classroom. Planning involves teachers creating engaging lessons, to aid understanding of conceptual knowledge. Teachers use precise questioning in class to test conceptual knowledge and skills, and assess children regularly to identify those children with gaps in learning, so that all children keep up.
• We build upon the learning and skill development of the previous years. As the children’s knowledge and understanding increases, and they become more proficient in selecting, using scientific equipment, collating and interpreting results, 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 these skills are being 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.
• Teachers demonstrate how to use scientific equipment, and the various Working Scientifically skills in order to embed scientific understanding. Teachers find opportunities to develop children’s understanding of their surroundings by accessing outdoor learning and workshops with experts.

Statement of Impact
The successful approach at Elham Primary results in a fun, engaging, high-quality science education, that provides children with the foundations 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. So much of science lends itself to outdoor learning and so we provide children with opportunities to experience this. 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 as a result of our community links and connection with national agencies such as the STEM association. Pupil voice is used to further develop the Science curriculum, through questioning of pupil’s views and attitudes to Science to support the children’s enjoyment of science and to motivate learners.