Science
Science at Sandiway Primary School
Together, we take our children on a journey that is engaging, exciting and empowering for all.
The leader for science in our school is: Mrs Sue Atkinson
At Sandiway Primary School we aim to:
Engage: Provide opportunity for all pupils to develop scientific knowledge and enquiry skills, understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science.
Excite: Develop all pupils’ interest and enjoyment of science, helping to instil scientific confidence and inspire future generations of young scientists.
Empower: To ensure all pupils learn through a progressive curriculum that sparks their imagination, fuels their curiosity and builds an enquiring mind through hands-on experimental lessons.
What does our curriculum look like for Science?
Science is taught using the National Curriculum objectives as a starting point and enhanced with Science Bug. Science Bug is an online toolkit used to create memorable learning experiences, sparking imagination and fuelling curiosity. Science is taught either weekly or through fortnightly lessons. Scientific enquiry questions are set at the beginning of every lesson for the children to explore and ensure learning is progressive. Children are then given opportunity to reflect on their learning and make scientific conclusions using a range of scientific skills such as questioning, testing, measuring, recording, observing and evaluating. More detailed medium term planning is available in school.
How is Science structured at Sandiway Primary School?
The long-term plan for science is progressive both through ‘working scientifically’ and the variety of programmes of study. The programmes of study build upon previous learning and are year group specific. ‘Working scientifically’ specifies the understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science for each year group. Children are taught through the teaching sequence of revisiting, teaching, practising and applying.
High quality science lessons provide children with essential foundations for understanding the world through biology, chemistry and physics. Children are given opportunity to develop the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future.
How do we enrich Science?
When possible, extra-curricular activities are offered to promote unique scientific experiences and meet local scientists. We had a lovely after school club in the Autumn term called 'Creatures and Critters'. Looking ahead we will also be inviting other local Science clubs into school over the coming terms such as Mad Science and STEM Kids. As and when appropritate teachers will also arrange visitors (doctors, vets, dentists, links to the local high school etc) into school to enrich lessons with examples of modern scientists today to make learning more memorable.
How do we provide for all learners in Science?
The science curriculum delivery is equitable and appropriate for all groups ensuring full access and parity for all pupils. Through our teaching and learning of science, all children have a positive view of the subject and are able to enthusiastically demonstrate their scienctific understanding, enquiry and invstigation skills. Children are supported when necessary to enable full access to their learning in science and the most able are challenged to ensure everyone can fulfill their potential within the subject. Children have a secure knowledge and understanding of how science can contribute to their curiosity, culture, wealth and well-being within our school and across the wider environment. Our children are motivated, young scientists keen to question and explore the world further.
How do we assess Science?
The Subject Leader for science monitors the progress of scientific learning through learning walks, Science book monitoring, pupil and staff voice meetings, science displays etc. Children’s achievements and next steps for the subject then become evident. Pupils are taught to understand and use correct scientific and technical vocabulary based on the objectives and skills being taught.
Science work is assessed termly by class teachers. Judgements are made in relation to how children have approached and accomplished the enquiry questions set within each termly unit of work.
Year 1 - 6 also complete an end of unit standardised test designed to track attainment and progress in science across the whole school. Questions are clearly linked to objectives from the National Curriculum, thus enabling effective gap analysis on previous learning and skills that have been taught. Using an end of unit test identifies pupils’ strengths and weaknesses using separate tests for each topic in line with our long term plan for Science.
Webpage updated: October 2022