Intent
At Wolsingham Primary we want our children to be naturally curious about the world around them. In our rapidly evolving world, Science is a vital part of our curriculum intention. Science stimulates and excites pupils’ curiosity about phenomena and events in the world around them. It also satisfies their experience with ideas and it can engage learners at many levels. Scientific method is about developing and evaluating explanations through experimental evidence and modelling. Pupils learn to question and discuss science-based issues that may affect their own lives, the direction of society and the future world. Scientific language is to be taught and built upon as topics are revisited in different year groups and across key stages. We intend to provide all children regardless of ethnic origin, gender, class, aptitude or disability with a broad and balanced Science curriculum.
At Wolsingham Primary School, in conjunction with the aims of the 2014 National Curriculum programmes of study for Science and Understanding of the World in the Early Years Foundation Stage, our Science teaching offers a curriculum that is progressive throughout the school and gives opportunities for children to:
- 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;
- be equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of Science, today and for the future.
- develop the essential scientific 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, 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 of scientific learning and discovery.
Science in the Early Years
A scientist in the early years will explore the natural world around them. They will be inquisitive and gain lots of knowledge through questioning and exploring. They will comment on and ask questions about their familiar world, such as the place they live and the natural world. Through discussions with peers and adults children will talk about some of the things that they have observed, such as plants, animals, natural and found objects. Discussing why things happen and how things work, developing an understanding of growth and decay over time. Throughout their early years, children will talk about foods and healthy lifestyles, including showing some understanding of good practices with regard to exercise, eating, sleeping, hygiene and how these contribute to good health. Through a range of child initiated and adult planned topics, children will experience, and gain some knowledge and understanding about scientific concepts such as light and dark, space, seasons, plants, materials and our bodies. Role play opportunities and visitors into school also contribute towards scientific knowledge and understanding in the early years. They will learn to show care and concern for living things through opportunities such as class pets, visitors in school or in the community. A lot of learning in the early years takes place through purposeful play, both indoors and outdoors. Towards the end of Reception children will be learning skills to equip them for their future learning and later success in Year 1.
Please see our Whole School Long Term Overview and Whole School Long Term Plan to see what our pupils will study during each year.
