Science Curriculum Statement

 

Intent

Through teaching Science, and in line with the 2014 National Curriculum, our aim is to ensure that all children at Castle View Primary School:

  • develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding.
  • 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
  • to describe associated processes and key characteristics in common language, but they should also be familiar with, and use, technical terminology accurately and precisely.

Scientific enquiry and investigative skills are a major factor in enabling children to be competent, independent learners who have secure knowledge and skills to investigate and think creatively and critically about the world around them. The quality and variety of language that our children hear and speak are key factors in developing their scientific vocabulary and articulating scientific concepts clearly and precisely. It is our intention that children have every opportunity available to allow them to achieve this.

Implementation

At Castle View Primary School, Science is taught using a blocked curriculum approach.  Our topic led curriculum links our science with other areas of learning including mathematics, literacy and design and technology. Also each year band has a topic that is led by the science teaching. Science teaching will be fun and driven by enquiry. The children will be active and engaged through the use of resources and teaching.

This ensures that children are able to develop depth in their knowledge and skills over the duration of each of their science topics.  Teachers use the LPDS (Lancashire Professional Development Service) scheme of work to deliver the topics but may supplement other materials to ensure the curriculum meets our children’s needs.

The children will be assisted in making their thinking clear, both to themselves and others. Teachers will ensure that pupils build secure foundations by using discussion to probe and remedy their misconceptions.

Where possible, appropriate visits will be linked to the science curriculum to further engage the children and broaden their experiences. These will be reviewed regularly to ensure they are appropriate and meeting our children’s specific needs.

Impact

By building on their scientific knowledge and skills children are equipped to question the world around them confidently. They will have the tools to solve problems fairly and accurately and feel secure and confident in their analysis and reasoning. They will develop high level questioning skills which will support them in all subjects and within the wider world.