Science

Science Curriculum Rationale

At Ormskirk C.E Primary school, we are scientists. We encourage children to be inquisitive throughout their time at our school and beyond. Science is the most powerful method we have for understanding and explaining the natural world that God has gifted to us. Science fosters a healthy curiosity in children about our universe and promotes respect for the living and non-living.

Through the careful and concise planning of an exciting and progressive curriculum, we believe that our children are exposed to a wide range of scientific knowledge, conceptual understanding, skills and positive attitudes. Children can make links with existing concepts and are given the opportunity to develop their own ideas, assisting in gaining a greater understanding of the science of our wonderful world.

Curriculum Intent

At Ormskirk C.E Primary School, children are provided with opportunities to explore and understand the world we live in, children develop an enthusiasm and enjoyment of science. Our progressive Science curriculum enables children to see relevance of the subject in their own lives. They are also given insight into potential future science related careers which aim to break down any stereotypes.

We are scientists! We want our children to love science. We want them to have no limits to what their ambitions are and grow up wanting to be astronauts, forensic scientists, toxicologists or microbiologists. We have had several visitors who work in the science industry such as chemists, vaccine research scientists and toxicologist from the School of Tropical Medicine. These workshops have inspired our children and broken down stereotypes which has allowed them to aim high and achieve.

We want the children to have the freedom to ask their own questions and find their own answers. Science has changed our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity, and all pupils should be taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science. It is made relevant by looking at real World events and studies of key scientists both from the past and more recent will be studied.

Through high quality teaching and learning experiences, we aim to develop every child’s key scientific knowledge, vocabulary and understanding of a range of scientific concepts, methods, processes and skills. Pupils are encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. This is inspired by trips to Brockholes and Snowden.

Children are encouraged to develop and explore ideas through planned investigation and further make predictions, explain happenings and analyse data whilst communicating their ideas effectively. Within investigation, children should be encouraged to ask questions about observations whilst being guided to develop their understanding of scientific ideas through their enquiry. From Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) to year 6, all children are immersed in scientific vocabulary, which aids children’s knowledge and understanding of our progressive and balanced science curriculum as well as the world around them.

Curriculum Implementation

Within EYFS, science plays a key part within ‘Knowledge and Understanding of the World’ and plays a vital part within the exploration, learning and play of younger children. This continues into Year 1, as science is part of continuous provision as well as being taught directly. As well as scientific knowledge, children begin to understand ‘working scientifically’ whereby appropriate to their developmental stage beginning to develop a curiosity about the natural World. The children in EYFS are given opportunities to ask their own questions and teachers plan continuous provision focusing on that particular year group's interests. An example of this, is learning about dinosaurs and the Polar regions through continuous provision.

We plan units of work that will challenge prior knowledge to construct a secure, new understanding of knowledge and concepts. In addition to this, working scientifically is developed and children will be introduced from Year 1 to the 5 strands of working scientifically. Each strand will be linked with an image that will be displayed and discussed during each lesson. As children move through school, they will be expected to discuss and determine which strand they are using during each lesson.

We use big questions to encourage discussion which links to our mathematics approach. Big questions enable children to draw on previous learning and use their developing scientific vocabulary while allowing teachers to be aware of children’s understanding and allowing them to address any misconceptions. We focus on creating awe and wonder in science and use experiment boxes to capture the children’s interest. In addition, we have a variety of trips and use our extensive grounds to allow the children to relate their knowledge of science to the real world. This has been supplemented by forest school, science days and visitors from real scientists. For example, scientists from the tropical school of medicine about snake venom.

Although science is taught as a discreet lesson, when the opportunity arises, extra science is taught through other subjects, for example, art and maths. Children are encouraged to record their thinking in a variety of ways so it doesn’t limit their success. Science can be accessed by all and at Ormskirk C.E Primary school we have no limits!

In ensuring high standards of teaching and learning in science, we implement a curriculum that is progressive throughout the whole school. This ensures progression between year groups and guarantees topics are covered. We develop the use of scientific language as well as creating 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 vocabulary when collecting, presenting and analysing data. This curiosity is celebrated within the classroom. Planning involves teachers creating engaging lessons and being facilitators. Teachers use a variety of questioning in class and the use of Stem sentences will enable all children can access the concepts and dive further into scientific knowledge.

Here is a flow chart outlining the structure of a science lesson.

Curriculum Impact

We believe our children will:

acquire a love and enjoyment of science.
follow a progressive science curriculum that meets the needs of all pupils.
develop a broad vocabulary of science which will enable them to articulate their understanding of taught concepts.
be able to show their in-depth understanding through open-ended assessment questions and teacher assessment after each unit of study including working scientifically.
retrieval tasks are used before each lesson to ensure previous learning is embedded and revisited.
group work and field work is shown through Earwig and teacher comments share the impact via pictures and videos.
develop their scientific knowledge, conceptual understanding and ability to think and act scientifically.
use a range of investigations and practical activities, giving them a greater understanding of the concepts and knowledge of science.
be equipped with the knowledge required to appreciate and understand science’s contribution to all aspects of everyday life.
build on their curiosity and sense of awe of the natural world.
give children the toolbox and skills to choose a career in science without limits.