Science at Colden

Intent: what are we trying to achieve with our curriculum?

A high-quality science education provides the foundations for understanding the world through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. 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. Through building up a body of key foundational knowledge and concepts, pupils should be encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. They should be encouraged to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes.

By the end of Year 6 pupils should:

• 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.  

Staff have worked together, making use of the scientific expertise on our team, to produce carefully sequenced and structured progression documents. These identify the key skills, knowledge and vocabulary that children need to master in order to be ready for the next phase of their education.

Inclusion

Colden is an inclusive school. For those children with SEND and/or deemed ‘vulnerable’, adjustments are made based upon individual needs. These may be to the curriculum itself or to access arrangements. At the same time, the importance of fostering independence and developing the confidence and ability to meet appropriate challenges is understood and promoted.

Implementation: how do we deliver our curriculum?

Science is taught as a discrete subject every week. The Science curriculum - based on the National Curriculum programme of study - has been planned to ensure that there are sufficient opportunities to revise and revisit topics so that children can build on prior learning. Through our planning, we include problem solving opportunities that allow children to apply their knowledge and find out answers for themselves. Wherever possible, we make full use of our stunning rural location so that children not only explore science in the real world, but also develop their appreciation and care for our natural environment. Curiosity is therefore celebrated both in and outside the classroom. Teachers create a positive attitude to science learning within their classrooms and reinforce an expectation that all pupils are capable of achieving high standards in science.

In order to support our pupils’ learning being committed to their long-term memory, we have developed bespoke Knowledge Organisers (KOs) which detail the key knowledge and vocabulary required for each topic. These are stuck into books at the beginning of the topic. To help ensure that pupils are aware of the sequence of learning, the key questions being addressed in each lesson is also pasted into books. These and the KOs are then used throughout the topic as a tool for recapping and retrieving learning. In addition, teachers revisit previous topics to ensure that this learning is committed to their long term memories.

Pupils record their learning in their Science books. Their books not only demonstrate the progress being made, but also are used as a learning tool as described above.

It is recognised by staff that the Science curriculum may need adapting according to different abilities. Some may need more adult support or more scaffolded tasks. Where possible, such scaffolds will only be in place for as long as required. As soon as teachers have assessed that they are able to work more independently, these will be removed as appropriate.

Impact: what difference are we making to pupils?

The successful approach at Colden results in a fun, engaging, high-quality science education, that provides children with the foundations and knowledge for understanding the world. Our engagement with the local environment ensures that children learn through varied and first-hand experiences of the world around them. Frequent, continuous and progressive learning outside the classroom is embedded throughout the science curriculum resulting in children at Colden overwhelmingly enjoying science and this results in motivated learners with sound scientific understanding.

Colden staff assess the impact of their teaching through questioning, observations, pupil interviews and work scrutinies. If the results of these enquiries show concerns about a child’s ability to demonstrate the required skills and knowledge, this could result for example in planning being adapted to allow for more time to consolidate or adjustments made to access arrangements.

Whole staff book scrutinies allow for staff to ensure there is a consistency of approach across the school and that judgements are moderated. These events, as well as leaders’ monitoring mean that Colden is constantly striving to make sure that the Science curriculum is of the highest quality so that it prepares children for the next phase of their education.

Equal Opportunities

The school is committed to providing equal opportunities for all, regardless of race, faith, gender or capability in all aspects of school. We promote self and mutual respect and a caring and non-judgmental attitude throughout the school.