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Science at Bearnes

Science Curriculum Rationale

 

At Bearnes Voluntary Primary School we are scientists! We want our pupils to develop a love and passion for science. We want them to live life without limits, by following their dreams and ambitions, to one day become astronauts, forensic scientists, zoologists or microbiologists. We want them to embody our school core values. The science curriculum has been carefully crafted so that our children develop their scientific capital. We want our pupils to remember their science lessons in our school, to look back on  these memories fondly and embrace the scientific opportunities they are presented with throughout their lives.

 

Curriculum Intent

 

At Bearnes Voluntary Primary School we believe Science should nurture children’s natural curiosity, develop their understanding of the world and teach them essential enquiry skills. We are committed to ensuring all pupils are inspired to develop their Science Capital to become Scientists of the future as they build their understanding of the value and place Science has in their everyday lives. As one of the core subjects taught in primary schools, we give the teaching and learning of Science the prominence it requires.

 

Through our teaching of Science we aim to increase pupils’ knowledge and understanding of our world and develop the skills associated with Science as a process of enquiry. Through Science we will develop the natural curiosity of the child, encourage respect for living organisms and the physical environment and provide opportunities for critical evaluation of evidence.

 

At Bearnes Voluntary Primary School, in conjunction with the aims of the National Curriculum, our Science teaching aims to:

 

  • stimulate and excite pupils’ curiosity about natural phenomena and events in the world around them.

  • support this curiosity with the teaching of scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding

    through an investigative and practical approach to 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;

  • develop pupils’ understanding of how major scientific ideas contribute toward technological change

    that impact locally and globally and become 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 through a

    progressive curriculum.

  • 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;

  • learn to question, discuss and act on science based issues that may affect their own lives, the

    directions of society and current global sustainability;

  • support children in developing a lifelong love of scientific learning, discovery and a skill set required

    to do so.

 

Implementation of Science

 

At Bearnes Voluntary Primary School our vision is to go beyond just delivering the National Curriculum Aims by providing our pupils with a 5 Star Science Curriculum. This involves developing their Science Capital, making them global citizens by showing them the importance of Science in the wider world, everyday life and developing their sense of self in the impacts their actions have on the planet. As part of their primary education in Science pupils will have the opportunity to experience:

 

  • Meeting a Scientist through the STEM Ambassador program.
  • Taking part in a Science focused inspirational trip to develop their understanding of Science in the wider world.
  • Having the opportunity to explore and fully engage with nature through Science lessons and outdoor education.
  • Taking part in a National Nature Survey such as the Big Bug Hunt, The Big Bird Watch, Devon Horseshoe Bat project to increase their understanding of biodiversity and the threats it faces.
  • Through use of the Practical Action resources, engage with the global sustainability goals of food, water, climate, recycling and energy to be able to understand their impact on the planet and the implications for future generations enabling them to take action.

 

As Scientists, pupils at Bearnes Voluntary Primary School experience the 5 Star Science Curriculum as outlined above. Children have weekly lessons in Science throughout Key Stage 1 and 2 and this is planned by their teacher, with input for our Science Subject Lead, using a 2 year rolling programme to ensure complete curriculum coverage. At our school Science is taught as a discreet subject but staff make meaningful links across subjects. Example: we use maths for sample distribution in which we use data tables and graphing in order to compare and contrast scientific results, as well as using measuring equipment.  Science is a progressive subject at our school and in light of this we ensure we build upon and link the learning and skills taught in previous years when planning and teaching future topics. As the children’s knowledge and understanding increases, and they become more proficient in selecting, using scientific equipment, collating and interpreting results, they become increasingly confident in their growing ability to come to conclusions based on real evidence.

In Early years, science allows our pupils to explore the world around by learning through play. A positive and encouraging classroom environment can be found across all Key Stages. Children’s questions are always welcomed and they are given the opportunity to explore new ideas as well as test them. They are provided with problem solving opportunities that allow them to find out for themselves by asking their own questions and given opportunities to use their scientific skills and research to discover the answers. This curiosity is celebrated within the classroom. Working Scientifically skills are embedded into lessons, taught alongside the knowledge objectives to ensure these skills are being developed throughout the each child's education and new vocabulary and challenging concepts are introduced through direct teaching. This is developed through the years, in-keeping with the topics.
In order to provide suitable learning opportunities for all pupils, teachers ensure that they use a variety of strategies to accommodate different learning styles.

 

Impact of Science

 

The successful approach at Bearnes Voluntary Primary School results in a fun, engaging, high-quality Science education, that provides pupils with the skills and foundations for understanding the world in which they live, highlighting its relevance in everyday life. Our engagement with the local environment through outdoor learning and National Surveys ensures that pupils learn through varied and first hand experiences of the world around them. Using the Practical Action resources, pupils are able to link the Science directly to global issues and develop a deeper understanding of how Science is vital in developing solutions to problems that affect people’s everyday lives. Through engagement with Stem Ambassadors, pupils are increasing their Science Capital and seeing possibilities for careers in Science. Workshops, trips and the interactions with experts they meet along their scientific journey provide every pupil with information to help them to see the bigger picture and how Science has a role to play in our everyday lives. Pupil voice is used to further develop the Science curriculum, through questioning of pupils’ views and attitudes to Science to support our pupil’s enjoyment and ownership of Science and to motivate their learning.

 

We use both formative and summative assessment information in every science lesson. Staff use this information to inform their short-term planning and short-term interventions. This helps us provide the best possible support for all of our pupils, including the more able. The assessment milestones for each phase have been carefully mapped out and further broken down for each year group. This means that skills in science are progressive and build year on year. 

 

Our staff use science formative assessment grids, within SIMS, to systematically assess what pupils know as the topic progresses and inform their future planning. These formative assessment grids then inform summative assessment judgements for each topic.

Summative assessment information is collected 3 times a year (Autumn, Spring and Summer Term) and analysed as part of our monitoring cycle. This process provides an accurate and comprehensive understanding of the quality of education in science. A comprehensive monitoring cycle is developed at the beginning of each academic year. This identifies when monitoring is undertaken. Monitoring in science includes: book scrutinies, lesson observations and/or learning walks, pupil/parent and/or staff voice.

 

During Academy Science hub meetings, individual pupil work is moderated to ensure judgments are accurate and that resources/sound practice are shared.

 

All of this information is gathered and reviewed. It is used to inform further curriculum developments and provision is adapted accordingly.

 

At Bearnes Voluntary Primary School we are SCIENTISTS!!

 

How is Science monitored across the Academy?

 

Within The Link Academy Trust we have developed 'The Science Leadership Curriculum Group' (CLG) this is lead by a Chairperson (Mrs J Lunt - Harbertonford Primary School) and supported by an Academy Head (Mr D Turner - Bearnes Voluntary Primary School).

 

The group meets online each term and has the following duties:

 

  • The CLG is responsible for the review of Science policies to prepare them for review by Local Boards, S&C Committee and the Board of Directors.

  • The CLG is run professionally with a Chair and Vice Chair. There is a clear agenda and minutes which are agreed at the following meetings and agreed actions that will be reviews and developed.

  • The CLG will ensure current thinking, research and National Agendas and developments relating to the subject area are shared and any Action Plans are in place to improve practice in line with these agendas.

  • The CLG will ensure schools offer an effective Science curriculum for all with clear documentation, procedures and protocols are in place to ensure the highest outcomes for every child are achieved.
  • The CLG will arrange opportunities to moderate judgments and hone practice across the Trust, using monitoring as a tool, where this is appropriate and focusing on consistent and effective assessment and the development of challenge.

  • Action Plans will be drawn up following external inspection to lead improvements and these recommendations are shared and progress is supported.

  • All CLG will consider the new Ofsted Framework to ensure Intent, Implementation and Impact is fully explored and agreed actions improve teaching and learning further.

  • The CLG will be responsible for developing good lines of communication through emails, Microsoft Teams, document drops to develop high quality and consistent practice.

  • The CLG will ensure that subject skills, understanding and related vocabulary are taught within the overall enquiry based topic where learning connections are fostered.

  • The CLG share resources through Microsoft Teams to ensure high Quality First Teaching.
    In each school the Science Co-ordinator is responsible for ensuring that the aims of the Science Policy

    are met. In addition to this, the Science Co-ordinator should:-

  • Ensure the 5 Star Science Curriculum is implemented and monitored.

  • Be enthusiastic about Science and demonstrate good practice.

  • Attend Science Hub meetings and feed information back to their own schools during staff meeting time.

  • Encourage and support staff in the implementation of the curriculum and school approaches to Science teaching

  • Co-ordinate assessment procedures and record keeping to ensure progression and development throughout the school

  • Monitor the teaching and learning of Science throughout the school.

  • Organise and review all Science-based resources, ensuring they are readily available and maintained.

  • Support staff by encouraging the sharing of ideas and organising in-service training as appropriate.

  • Attend the Science moderation meeting to ensure accurate and consistent assessment across Link Academy Trust schools.