Rationale

At Westcliffe Primary school, we believe that science provides children with an understanding of the world around them, and by working as scientists, gives them a chance to engage with how science plays a role in everyday life. We encourage pupils’ enquiring minds and give them many opportunities to allow them to feed their natural curiosity as their own working scientifically skills progress throughout school. As part of our school ethos we want ‘to raise children’s awareness of the wide range of possibilities open to them.’ This is threaded through our work in science by introducing children to possibilities in STEM careers and inspiring them with the discoveries, inventions and knowledge of scientists past and present. Science is also woven into our curriculum through our knowledge of the world drivers which gives children further opportunities to revisit and consolidate their understanding of important scientific knowledge.

Aims

The national curriculum for science 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

How is the subject taught:

Science is taught in units and is taught weekly. An in-house scheme has been devised and Learning Journeys have been written for each unit (supported by Developing Experts). Timely delivery of the knowledge of the world drivers have been planned into the Long Term Plan to ensure children are given the opportunity to revisit and remember previous learning. 

If you walk into a science lesson you will see:

• A range of enquiry skills being used to plan and carry out investigations
• Working as scientists to develop questions, collect, analyse and present data
• Children learning and consolidating specific scientific vocabulary 
• High expectations of pupil questioning
• Pupils returning to prior learning both in short recapping activities and through the knowledge of the world drivers
• Children applying preciously developed skills to scientific enquiries
• Expansion of children’s horizons and aspirations as they learn about STEM careers and the developments that have shaped their life

If you have any further enquiries about Science within our school, please contact Miss Megan Ross.