Science

Intent

At New Moston Primary School we aim to develop a fun, immersive and engaging high-quality science curriculum that inspires the next generation to ask questions, find answers and succeed and excel in science. At the heart of our vision for them is scientific investigation.

Our scientific learning journey starts the minute children join our school in our Early Years through Knowledge and Understanding the World opportunities and continues throughout school. 

Wherever possible we intend to deliver lessons where children learn through varied systematic investigations, leading to them being equipped for life to ask and answer scientific questions about the world around them.

As scientists, our children will acquire and develop the key knowledge and vocabulary that has been identified within each unit and across each year group, as well as the application of scientific skills.

Implementation

We implement our vision for Science by fully adhering to the aims of The National Curriculum of Science in KS1 and KS2; fostering a healthy curiosity and interest in the sciences. The acquisition of key scientific knowledge is an integral part of our science lessons.

Knowledge organisers enable children to learn and retain the important, useful and powerful vocabulary and knowledge contained within each unit. The progression of skills for working scientifically are developed through the year groups and scientific enquiry skills are of key importance within lessons. At New Moston, teachers create a positive attitude to science learning within their classrooms and reinforce an expectation that all children are capable of achieving high standards in science. Our whole school approach to the teaching and learning of science involves the following;

• Science will be taught in planned, and arranged, topic blocks by the class teacher. Our strategy is to enable all children to be catered for through adapted planning suited to their abilities

 • We plan for problem solving and real life opportunities that enable children to find out for themselves. Children are encouraged to ask their own questions and be given opportunities to use their scientific skills and research to discover the answers. This curiosity is celebrated within the classroom. Planning involves teachers creating practical, engaging lessons with opportunities for precise questioning in class to test conceptual knowledge and skills, and assess children regularly to identify those children with gaps in learning

• A clear and comprehensive scheme of work in line with the National Curriculum where teaching and learning shows progression across all key stages within the strands of Science and should plan for practical investigative opportunities within Science lessons.. We build upon the learning and skill development of the previous years, linking ideas together and enabling children to question and become enquiry based learners.

• Working Scientifically skills are embedded into all lessons and units to ensure these skills are being developed throughout the children’s school career, and new vocabulary and challenging concepts are introduced through direct teaching. This is developed through the years, in keeping with the topics.

 Impact

The successful approach to the teaching of science at New Moston results in a fun, engaging, high quality science education, that provides children with the foundations for understanding the world that they can take with them once they complete their primary education and leaves them ready for the next stage in their education. Furthermore,

• Most children will achieve age related expectations in Science at the end of their cohort year.
• Children will retain knowledge that is pertinent to Science with a real life context.
• Children will be able to question ideas and reflect on knowledge.
• Children will work collaboratively and practically to investigate and experiment.
• Children will be able to explain the process they have taken and be able to reason scientifically.

At New Moston Primary School, pupil voice is used to further develop the Science curriculum, through questioning of pupils’ views and attitudes towards Science, to assess the children’s enjoyment of science, and to motivate learners.