Science

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Science is all around us!

At Broadmead Primary School we believe that scientific investigation is one of the most powerful ways to learn; developing curiosity and perseverance as well as challenging what we know about the world. Science should stimulate and develop an attitude of curiosity and questioning as well as developing substantial scientific knowledge. We aim to make science as practical as possible, linking it to real life contexts and giving a meaning to our learning.

Science lessons are open ended and practical in nature, allowing children to use a wide range of resources to lead the learning and make their own discoveries. Lessons aren’t just limited to the classroom… we make use of our outdoor facilities, including the field and playground, in order to maximise the children’s learning experiences. This allows children to develop the key skills of investigation, problem solving and team work; empowering children to question the world around them and become scientific thinkers. We also believe that cross curricular links and access to outside influences, such as trips, visiting experts and professionals, lead to developing aspirations for our pupils. By learning to develop scientific skills, pupils can build on these and see how they can be used in career opportunities, raising their aspirations for the future.

The National Curriculum provides structure and skills progression for the Science curriculum taught throughout the school. This is linked, where possible, to the themed topics providing a creative scheme of work, which reflects a balanced programme of study. We follow the International Primary Curriculum Scheme linked to themes from the National Curriculum. Children are fully immersed into their Science topics creating knowledge harvests, taking part in innovative, exciting experiments; developing their enquiry and observation skills. At the end of each topic, children are able to show how they feel they achieved in each topic by using a self-assessment ‘traffic light’ system. Class teachers also monitor how children have grasped the concepts, using an Academy-wide assessment tool. Children are immersed in their new topics using an ‘Entry Point’ this helps the children to have first hadn’t experiences with the topic they are going to learn. Children also have the opportunity to share their new knowledge and celebrate the topic through an inventive and stimulating ‘exit point’.

Science Long Term Plan

Science Progression of Skills

PSQM - Evidence Slides

Home | Learning | Curriculum | Subjects | Science

Science

Science

At Broadmead we believe that primary science should be mainly based upon practical activities in which pupils are actively investigating a problem or question relevant to their own experience. Science should stimulate and develop an attitude of curiosity and questioning and as well as developing substantial scientific knowledge.

We want children to have a greater understanding of the world in which they live; to recognise problems, and to work towards their solution. We feel that science, amongst other things, should encourage sensitivity towards living things and the environment.

We feel that it is important to value the child’s initial ideas and to work with them in developing the child’s perception. We believe that young children find it difficult to understand abstract scientific concepts and therefore work should be based around ideas which are accessible to and testable by the child.

Children’s attitudes are important in science. We feel that a child’s attitude can facilitate, or limit, the application of skills and ideas. Science is a useful vehicle for engendering attitudes of curiosity, perseverance, open-mindedness, co-operation, originality and independence in children. In addition we hope that pupils will develop a respect for evidence. Science activities should also help to develop a child’s self-discipline and responsibility. We are conscious of the importance and value of questioning in primary science. At Broadmead we feel questioning should be an essential element of all science activities.

Discussion is an important aspect of primary science. Teacher/child interaction, small group and class discussion will help the children to evaluate their work and improve understanding of scientific concepts.

Planning, recording, predicting, testing, interpreting results and proposing further investigations are the essence of science and together with suitable practical “hands on” experience, will be meaningful and enjoyable to the pupils.

We teach Science through the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) . Children are fully immersed into their Science topics creating knowledge harvests, taking part in innovative, exciting experiments; developing their enquiry and observation skills. At the end of each topic, children have the opportunity to share their new knowledge and celebrate their Science topic through an inventive and stimulating ‘exit point.’