Science
Intent, Implementation & Impact
Intent
Our Science curriculum aims to create lifelong learners who care about their world. We want to ignite a passion and a love for science right from the start in Nursery, all the way to Year Six and beyond. We want our pupils to develop a complex knowledge of Biology, Chemistry and Physics, but also adopt a broad range of skills in working scientifically and beyond. Our curriculum aims to encourage critical thinking and empower pupils to question the hows and whys of the world around them. Through taking part in engaging and hands-on practical lessons, we aim for the children to develop a sense of excitement and curiosity and make links between their science learning and their lives outside the classroom.
Implementation
Science lessons are planned using the Kapow Science scheme. This is a spiral curriculum, with essential knowledge and skills revisited with increasing complexity, allowing pupils to revise and build on their previous learning. Engaging recall activities promote frequent pupil reflection on prior learning, ensuring new learning is approached with confidence.
Our three Science Big Ideas underpin all of our Science learning. These are:
Scientific Knowledge and Understanding
Working Scientifically
Science in Action
Pupils explore scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through engaging, practical activities. Our ‘Working Scientifically’ skills are integrated with conceptual understanding rather than taught discretely which provides frequent, but relevant, opportunities for developing scientific enquiry skills. The 'Science in Action' big idea is interwoven throughout the units of work to make the concepts and skills relevant to pupils and inspiring for future application. Cross-curricular links are included throughout each unit, allowing children to make connections and apply their Science skills to other areas of learning.
Impact
The impact of our Science curriculum at Lavender Primary School is measured through ongoing assessments, allowing for real-time tracking of pupil progress and identification of learning gaps. We use lesson-specific assessments, unit quizzes, and knowledge and skills catchers, coupled with opportunities for students to present their work in order to measure conceptual understanding and scientific skills against learning objectives.
At the end of their Lavender journey in Year Six, pupils should be equipped with the requisite skills and knowledge to succeed in key stage 3 Science. They will have the necessary tools to confidently and meaningfully question and explore the world around them as well as critically and analytically experiencing and observing phenomena. Pupils will understand the significance and impact of Science on society.
The expected impact of following the Kapow Primary Science scheme of work is that children will:
Develop a body of foundational knowledge for the Biology topics in the National curriculum: Plants; Animals, Including Humans; Living Things and Their Habitats; Evolution and Inheritance.
Develop a body of foundational knowledge for the Chemistry topics in the National curriculum: Everyday Materials; Uses of Everyday Materials; Properties and Changes of Materials; States of Matter; Rocks.
Develop a body of foundational knowledge for the Physics topics in the National curriculum: Seasonal Changes; Forces and Magnets; Sound; Light; Electricity; Earth and Space.
Be able to evaluate and identify the methods that ‘real world’ scientists use to develop and answer scientific questions.
Identify and use equipment effectively to accurately gather, measure and record data.
Be able to display and convey data in a variety of ways, including graphs.
Analyse data in order to identify, classify, group, and find patterns.
Use evidence to formulate explanations and conclusions.
Demonstrate scientific literacy through presenting concepts and communicating ideas using scientific vocabulary.
Understand the importance of resilience and a growth mindset, particularly in reference to scientific enquiry.
Meet the end of key stage expectations outlined in the National curriculum for Science.