Science Curriculum Design at Brookfield Community Primary School

Curriculum Area: Science    

Subject Leader: Miss Leonie McNee  

Intent

Our Science curriculum aims to provide children with skills, knowledge and talents that are transferable to the ever-changing world that awaits them when they leave primary school.

We want our children to be naturally curious about the world around them therefore our Science curriculum fosters a healthy curiosity in children about our universe and promotes respect for the living and non-living.

The national curriculum for Science aims to ensure that all pupils:

• Scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics

• 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

• Scientific skills required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future.

We aim to motivate and inspire children through a curriculum that stimulates, engages and challenges all learners.

Science at Brookfield is designed to develop the identified key knowledge 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.  Specific vocabulary for each unit is taught and built upon alongside and effective questioning to communicate ideas.

Our School Mission Statement of ‘Many hearts make a school’ and our Learning Powers, are at the heart of our curriculum and all that we do at Brookfield Community Primary School.

Implementation

In Science, we implement an inclusive curriculum that meets the needs of all pupils including those with special educational needs and the more able.

The curriculum is progressive and based on the needs of our children. Working Scientifically skills are built into lessons, in order to embed scientific understanding.

At the beginning of each unit, children share their prior knowledge, which informs planning and teaching. A series of stimulating lessons are planned, with clear knowledge and skills -based learning objectives and subject-specific vocabulary, which is included on the termly knowledge organisers. End of unit assessment tasks are used to demonstrate progress, knowledge and understanding. Teachers assess learning in Science against knowledge-based and skills-based learning objectives.

Our curriculum is delivered through highly effective ‘quality first teaching’ as described in the Teaching and Learning Policy. Enrichment opportunities, including inspirational visitors and exciting educational visits, provide our children with rich experiences and enhance teaching, learning and knowledge.

Impact

Our well-planned Science curriculum ensures that children are given essential knowledge and skills.

All pupils’ learning is progressive, developmental and stimulating. Teaching ensures that children develop learning powers enabling each one to be the best they can be.