Science
Intent
At North Duffield we have developed a Science curriculum which aims to develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena and an understanding of how the scientific community contributes to the past, present and future.
The curriculum aims for pupils to develop a complex knowledge of biology, chemistry and physics but also adopt a broad range of skills in working scientifically and beyond. The curriculum is inclusive and meaningful so all pupils may experience the joy of science and make associations between their science learning and their lives outside the classroom. Studying science allows pupils to appreciate how new knowledge and skills can be fundamental to solving arising global challenges.
The curriculum aims to encourage critical thinking and empower pupils to question the how's and whys of the world around them. It encourages:
● A strong focus on developing knowledge alongside scientific skills across biology, chemistry and physics.
● Curiosity and excitement about familiar and unknown observations.
● Challenging misconceptions and demystifying truths.
● Continuous progression by building on practical and investigative skills across all units.
● Critical thinking, with the ability to ask perceptive questions and explain and analyse evidence.
● Development of scientific literacy using wide-ranging, specialist vocabulary.
The Science curriculum supports pupils in meeting the Early Learning Goals for Understanding the world (The Natural world) and the end of key stage attainment targets set out in the National curriculum.
We intend to teach these skills through space repetition of them, whilst developing the children's knowledge through these skills over time.
Implementation
To meet the aims of the National curriculum for science and in response to the Ofsted research review, the following areas are taught:
● Scientific knowledge and understanding of biology (living organisms and vital processes), chemistry (matter and its properties) and physics (how the world we live in ‘works’).
● Working scientifically: processes and methods of science to answer questions about the world around us.
● Science in action: uses and implications of science in the past, present and for the future.
Science is taught as a spiral curriculum, with essential knowledge and skills revisited with increasing complexity, allowing pupils to revise and build on their previous learning. A range of engaging recall activities promotes frequent pupil reflection on prior learning, ensuring new learning is approached with confidence.
The National curriculum content is grouped into six key areas of science to show progression throughout the school: Plants, Animals, including humans, Living things and habitats, Materials, Energy and Forces, Earth and space.
Pupils explore knowledge and conceptual understanding through engaging activities and an introduction to relevant, specialist vocabulary. In EYFS (Reception), pupils build a solid foundation for science before transitioning to Key stage 1. Through hands-on exploration and focused observations, lessons spark curiosity and foster an early appreciation for the natural environment, paving the way for more structured scientific learning in Key stage 2.
Impact
The impact of Science at North Duffield is constantly monitored through both formative and summative assessment opportunities ensuring that pupils should leave school equipped with the requisite skills and knowledge to succeed in science at Key stage 3. They will have the necessary tools to confidently and meaningfully question and explore the world around them and critically and analytically experience and observe phenomena. Pupils will understand the significance and impact of science on society.
The expected impact is that pupils will:
● Develop early scientific thinking skills through hands-on exploration and sensory experiences in EYFS.
● Develop a body of foundational knowledge for the biology topics in the National curriculum: Plants; Animals, including humans; Living things and their habitats; and Evolution and inheritance.
● Develop a body of foundational knowledge for the chemistry topics in the National curriculum: Everyday materials; Uses of everyday materials; Properties and changes of materials; States of matter; and Rocks.
● Develop a body of foundational knowledge for the physics topics in the National curriculum:
Seasonal changes; Forces and magnets; Sound; Light; Electricity; and Earth and space.
● Evaluate and identify the methods that ‘real world’ scientists use to develop and answer scientific questions.
● Identify and use equipment effectively to accurately gather, measure and record data.
● Be able to display and convey data in a variety of ways, including graphs.
● Analyse data to identify, classify, group and find patterns.
● Use evidence to formulate explanations and conclusions.
● Demonstrate scientific literacy through presenting concepts and communicating ideas using scientific vocabulary.
● Understand the importance of resilience and a growth mindset, particularly in reference to scientific enquiry.
● Meet the end of key stage expectations outlined in the National curriculum for science.