Science
INTENT
At Gislingham we encourage children to be inquisitive throughout their time at the school and beyond. Children are naturally curious and in science we aim to channel their curiosity about the world. Pupils are encouraged to find answers to their questions in a scientific manner. We believe science encompasses the acquisition of knowledge, concepts, skills and positive attitudes. Throughout the programmes of study, the children will acquire and develop the key knowledge that has been identified within each unit and across each year group, as well as the application of scientific skills. We ensure that the Working Scientifically skills are built on and developed throughout children’s time at the school so that they can apply their knowledge of science when using equipment, conducting experiments, building arguments and explaining concepts confidently and continue to ask questions and be curious about their surroundings. We believe that Science helps children develop key life skills, including an ability to communicate, remain organised and focused, and even form their own opinions based on observation. Science also helps children develop their senses and overall awareness.
IMPLEMENTATION
Science is a core subject and we follow the Aims, Principles and content of the National Curriculum.
The Science National Curriculum has three stated aims to ensure that all pupils:
Develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics
Develop understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through different types of science enquiries that help them to answer scientific questions about the world around them
Are equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science today and for the future
Teachers at Gislingham 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 is taught weekly or in planned and arranged topic blocks by the class teacher.
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. Teachers use precise questioning in class to test conceptual knowledge and skills, and assess children regularly to identify those children with gaps in learning to enable all children to keep up.
Teachers plan engaging and creative lessons to aid understanding of conceptual knowledge; i.e. recreating the digestive process using household items, enables pupils to visualise the process; exploring the heart and circulatory system through modelling, art, dissecting pig hearts and writing explanation and discursive texts in English develops deeper knowledge and understanding.
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.
Children are assessed within the lesson through questioning and observation with teachers making notes and changes to subsequent lessons as they evaluate learning. Outcomes of work are regularly monitored to ensure that they reflect a sound understanding of the key identified knowledge.
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.
Regular events, such as Science Week, allow all pupils to come off-timetable, to provide broader provision and the acquisition and application of knowledge and skills. These events often involve families and the expertise of the wider community.
IMPACT
The successful approach at Gislingham results in an engaging, high-quality science education that provides children with the foundations and knowledge for understanding the world. Engagement with the local environment ensures that children learn through varied and first hand experiences of the world around them. Children enjoy science and this results in motivated learners with sound scientific understanding.
To find out more about our Science Curriculum at Gislingham, please click on the links below: