Science

At Thurton CE Primary School we acknowledge the importance of science in everyday life and encourage children’s natural inquisitiveness. We encourage our children to develop an enquiring mind and analytical thinking skills through an interesting and relevant enquiry based science curriculum.

It is our aim to increase pupil’s knowledge and understanding of the universe around them and to develop their skills through investigating and experimenting. We want to develop children who can think scientifically and have a good understanding of the uses and implications of science both today and for the future.

Progression of Learning

The key knowledge that the children will acquire is embedded within the National Curriculum for both key stages. At Thurton CE Primary school we link this learning to the broader topics being covered each term in each class. Key skills have been mapped for each year group and are progressive across the school and follow the Working Scientifically expectations of the National Curriculum. Use of accurate scientific vocabulary is a focus within each lesson.

Succession of Science Knowledge

Progression of Enquiry and Disciplinary Knowledge

Each unit of learning is presented to the children as a learning journey with a clearly defined end point which can often be a project or investigation which will demonstrate their understanding. This allows children to understand the small steps in learning that need to take place to achieve the larger goal at the end of the of the journey.

Example Year 1 Science Unit

Teaching Tube Map:

Teacher Unit Guide:

Assessment:

Links to the broader curriculum are explicitly made. Teachers frequently check existing knowledge prior to starting a learning journey and links to previous and future learning are made clear. Most learning journeys involve an investigation where children are taught, and can consolidate existing, scientific skills. Practical experimentation is encouraged throughout the school and children gain increasing independence in this as they move through the school. As children move through the learning journey they are able to track how well they have performed at each stop through the use of colour coded feedback. At the end of each learning journey, knowledge and skills are reviewed and assessed. Feedback is shared with parents at termly learning conferences and yearly reports.

Characteristics of an effective SCIENTIST at Thurton CE Primary School:

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-engineering-careers