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Science
BackIntent
The intent is that all children become inquisitive about the world around them. Our children will raise questions and explore their thinking. We will offer opportunities for all children to observe, to predict, to investigate and test, to measure and record results and to formulate their own conclusions.
Implement
The implementation is that science is to be taught in blocks where appropriate, for example, a unit of work on Electricity in Year 4. Children are also exposed to a continuous science provision whereby relevant non-fiction books are available in classes and around school. Where possible, links will be made in English to relevant fiction texts e.g., Cosmic in Y5 during a topic on Earth and Space. Appropriate vocabulary and key questions will be displayed in classrooms. To ensure that science is a school-wide subject that goes beyond classroom work and is linked to real life, the school will participate in science week. Careers links will be made and discussed with children. Skills in maths will be used in context to measure and record data during scientific investigation. Children will communicate their work in science in a variety of ways, discussion and presentation, photograph and video, tables, graphs and charts, written reports and extended pieces of writing linked to their work in English. From September 2024, we will be upgrading to the latest version of the Collins Snap Science scheme. The new scheme is underpinned by extensive research into embedding science in Primary Schools and supported by a recent review of primary science by OFSTED.
Impact
The impact is that the application of scientific skills and knowledge is apparent in books, in classrooms, around school and in talking to our children. All children will consider themselves to be ‘scientists’ and become confident using scientific vocabulary to discuss their work. Through sentence stemming, the children will improve their confidence to ask scientific questions. Children will have an understanding of the importance and impact of science on the world we live in. They will be aware of the opportunities for future careers in science.
Impact will be measured by class teachers during termly curriculum review, moderation of books and discussion. Teachers will use children’s books, as well as their knowledge of how children respond in lessons to assess their learning of the year group objectives in science.
Inclusion
Inclusion lies at the centre of the Academy 360 vision. Teachers plan and adapt lessons and activities to ensure that all children can access them and be successful. This is achieved through a combination of teacher support, paired and team work and scaffolded activities. Our differentiation is meaningful and with this in mind, some activities will be differentiated by outcome only. Snap Science offers ‘challenges’ across 3 levels and teachers may decide to use these differentiated tasks with different groups of pupils according to their need.
Primary
Science Position Statement
In delivering Science at Academy 360, we aim to inspire our children’s curiosity of the world around them and develop critical thinking skills.
Science has a profound impact on changing our lives and is vital to our world’s future.
Through building up a body of key foundational knowledge and concepts, pupils are encouraged to explore the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about the natural world. At Academy 360, our pupils are encouraged to explain, predict, and analyse; developing skills across a range of subjects in order to think like a scientist.
The Science Curriculum follows the new National Curriculum introduced in September 2014. We also follow the Collins Hub programme, updated in 2024 to reflect a passion for teaching primary science alongside the National guidelines. We know how important it is for primary children to develop secure knowledge of the big ideas in science, to learn how scientists work to build that knowledge and how that knowledge can be used to meet the global changes we face. Collins Hub is made up of complex ideas in Biology, Chemistry and Physics as well as the disciplinary knowledge of working scientifically. It aims to utilise a variety of practical work and outdoor learning, whilst promoting positive attitudes and secure learning.
Our long-term plan provides subject leaders with a clear curriculum for science, from Year 1 to Year 6. The National Curriculum has been broken into modules which are organised logically to ensure that all substantive and disciplinary knowledge is taught and learnt well, at an appropriate time of the year and in an order which is underpinned by a clear progression. Scientific ideas, skills and vocabulary have all been sequenced to make sure that children’s learning builds on prior understanding.
Children will have access to a broad and balanced curriculum with first hand experiences to motivate and inspire them, regardless of needs or abilities. At Academy 360 the curriculum is regularly monitored and adapted to ensure all of the learning objectives are met and that skills are taught at every level, allowing children to reach mastery level. Trips, experiences, theme days, assemblies, topic assemblies, community events all create meaningful opportunities for our pupils to gain further knowledge and deepen their understanding.
Continuity is achieved through the implementation of sequenced lesson plans ensuring that previously learnt skills are built on and a common language is used. Continuity and progression should be evident through displays around the school, as well as monitoring through book scrutinies and planning. Explorify is used to engage scientific thinking skills and develop oracy through explanation.
In science our main aims are to develop the scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics for each pupil. To develop their understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science, using a range of scientific enquiry. We want our pupils to feel confident in answering scientific questions about the world around them and to ensure they are equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future.
We have recently been awarded the Primary Science Quality Mark in recognition of our excellent science provision.
Curriculum priorities for 2024-5
• To introduce tier vocabulary each lesson to complement science planning and specific aspects of language children need to understand.
• Continue to develop links with science outreach programs and universities for pupil enrichment and staff CPD. • Develop children’s understanding of the world in EYFS.
• To ensure particular disciplinary concepts are regularly revisited.
Please click the link below to view the curriculum overview.
science_content_overview_2024_2025.pdf
Secondary
Please see the link below for an overview on the Secondary curriculum for Science.