Science

Curriculum Intent

At Blackwell Primary School we believe that by teaching science through an enquiry based approach it allows us to go beyond the minimum requirements of the National Curriculum. We believe by personalising learning to the needs and interests of the children they are more motivated to find out more. Through having an understanding of how children learn teachers can ensure that they are exposed to foundational learning and conceptual learning to support them in understanding more and remembering more.

At Blackwell Primary School we acknowledge that children have a range of starting points and we believe it is vital that initial assessments of prior learning are undertaken to establish appropriate starting points for all science learning. This supports the children having an improved understating of how skill and knowledge learning work hand in hand to develop scientific minds. We understand the importance of a vocabulary rich curriculum and this is a key feature of our science curriculum.

We believe that all children have the right to learn through a variety of ways including having experiences outside of the classroom and engage in active learning. We know that when children are able to see their own progress their love for learning continues to grow.

From The National Curriculum in England – framework document 2013 Purpose of study

“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.”

How do we show the Core Values in Science

Click on the links below to be able to access the following information;

1. Science year group overview Year 1-6. This will show you what knowledge and skills are taught when cross the year and from year group to year group.

2. Progressive vocabulary list. This will show you what key vocabulary is taught when, this is not an exhaustive list.

3. Links that can be made to the Early Learning Goals for Science.

4. Edison achievement statements for Science- these correlate to the Nation Curriculum End of Key Stage expectations.