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.
Science Intent
At North Park Primary School, we recognise the importance of science in every aspect of daily life. As one of the core subjects in the primary curriculum, we give teaching and learning in science a priority in our timetabling of lessons.
The goal of science teaching in North Park is to create engaging learning to increase pupils’ knowledge and understanding of our world, developing skills associated with science as a process of enquiry. Our planning aims to develop the natural curiosity of pupils, encouraging respect for our world – the living organisms and the natural and man-made environment they inhabit – and to provide opportunities for critical evaluation of science processes, evidence and knowledge.
In line with the aims of the National Curriculum, our science curriculum offers opportunities for children to:
- Develop their scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through fundamental learning in aspects of biology, chemistry and physics.
- Develop their understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through different types of enquiry that help children pose and answer scientific questions about the world around them.
- Be equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future.
- Develop essential enquiry skills to deepen their scientific knowledge.
- Use a range of methods to communicate their scientific information and present it in a systematic, scientific manner, including I.C.T., diagrams, reports, graphs and charts.
- Develop a respect for the materials and equipment they handle with regard to their own, and other children’s safety.
- Develop an enthusiasm and enjoyment for scientific learning and discovery.
Science learning in Key Stage 1 and 2 is delivered in weekly lessons. These lessons build on the foundations laid down in the Early Years, where science is fundamentally embedded in pupils’ learning about the world around them, and discovered through play and direct teaching. Additional opportunities for learning in Science, are provided through a range of enrichment and enhancement activities, such as visits and visitors.
In delivering our science curriculum, we aim to ensure:
- We include investigation and problem-solving opportunities that allow children to find out and discover for themselves
- Children are encouraged to ask their own questions and given opportunities to use their scientific skills and research to discover the answers.
- Teachers create engaging lessons, using high-quality resources to aid understanding of conceptual knowledge.
- The focus of learning is opportunities for working scientifically
- New vocabulary and technical knowledge are explicitly taught
- Challenging concepts are systematically explained in direct teaching
- Learning is progressive and pupils have the opportunity to build upon learning from previous years, revisiting and extending their skills and knowledge
- Opportunities are delivered that allow children to become more proficient in selecting and using scientific equipment; collating and interpreting results; grow in their ability to draw conclusions, comparisons and generalisations based on evidence.
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