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Science in the National Curriculum

‘A high-quality science education provides the foundations for understanding the world through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry, and physics. Science has changed our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity, and all pupils should be taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science. Through building up a body of key foundational knowledge and concepts, pupils should be encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. They should be encouraged to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes.’

Science at Glade

'Science helps us understand the world around us, evaluate what we know and ask investigative questions.'

Year Three experimenting with gears

Intent 

At Glade Academy, we recognise the importance of Science not only as a core subject, but as a vehicle for questioning and understanding the world around us. We inspire pupils to think critically and ask challenging and probing questions about the natural world to develop a successful life-long interest in science. We also believe this empowers the children to feel confident enough to think critically about information in general, taking responsibility for checking things for themselves and challenging stereotypes and misconceptions which will prepare them moving for into secondary school and when lead safe, fulfilling lives.

Whilst thinking critically, children are encouraged to generate their own questions and lines of enquiry which can incorporate their own interests. We nurture their respect of others views, their collaboration skills and their curiosity, linking science to many ‘real world’ situations including, but not limited to, exercise, diet and using tools. We firmly believe this gives children not only the knowledge, but also the skills, for their future educational endeavours and beyond.

Through the teaching and learning of science, teachers will assist pupils to:

  • Develop their knowledge and understanding of important scientific ideas, processes and skills and relate these to everyday experiences.
  • Build an extended specialist vocabulary.
  • Acquire a curious and questioning mind.
  • Develop skills of observation and investigation, appropriately describing their findings in the context of the knowledge and vocabulary learnt.
  • Collect, retrieve, present, and communicate their findings to others in a variety of ways using the specialist vocabulary.

Impact

In lessons:

  • Pupils may be assessed by the class teacher through mini white boards during mini plenaries; .
  • Responses in games or activities
  • Responses to pupils' written work

After lessons:

The subject leader monitors the effective delivery of the science curriculum by:

  • Conducting book looks;
  • Looking at planning for medium and short term;
  • Looking at knowledge organisers
  • Observing children in lessons;
  • Completing pupil perception interviews.
  • Analysing the teacher assessments.