“Science may set limits to knowledge, but should not set limits to imagination.” Bertrand Russell
Intent, Implementation and Impact
Intent
- At Swain House Primary School we aim to teach a broad and balanced curriculum for science
- We want our children to think like scientists and the experiments we do aim to support this
- We want children to have no limits to what their ambitions are regardless of background
- Science stimulates childrens natural curiosity and at Swain House we aim to develop this through exciting and engaging hands on science
- Children learn to ask scientific questions and begin to appreciate the way science will affect their future on a personal, national, and global level
Implementation
- All classes study three scientists in depth each year so at the end of their primary curriculum they
- We use all areas of school to develop scientific skills and knowledge the wildlife area, the raised beds, the orchard, food technology room, the sensory garden and our local area
- Grow to School work in Swain House Primary School to enhance and support the science curriculum working with all year groups from Year 1 Year 6
- Practical experiments form the basis of all our science themes and children develop their questioning skills, prediction skills and can plan and carry out investigations and observe conclusions
- Children are supported to know more, remember more and be able to do more through revisits to previous learning at the beginning of each lesson, with regular opportunities to revisit past learning in the form of quizzes
- Visits and visitors into school (explorers, gardeners, VR experiences) all enhance the science curriculum at Swain House Primary School, making it memorable for all children
- Each year, we celebrate British Science Week in March where children link their learning to the theme for the year. This creates memorable learning through dressing up as scientists, completing exciting experiments and taking part in a whole school investigation
- Children often explain their learning verbally through the use of talk and QR codes
- Children will develop an understanding of the life processes of living things; know and understand the physical processes of materials, electricity, light, sound and natural forces and know about the nature of the solar system, including the earth
- Children in Early Years learn about the life cycle of different animals through having them in their classroom the life cycle of a frog in Great Oak Nursery, the life cycle of a butterfly and the life cycle of a chicken are learn about in Reception through physically observing these animals in the classroom
- Knowledge organisers provide children with the objectives, key vocabulary and progression of the lessons
- Some science themes link to the overarching history or geography theme for the term to enable children to make connections in their learning
Impact
- Outcomes in science show evidence of a broad and balanced science curriculum
- Children are encouraged to self-evaluate learning at the end of every session and are actively encouraged to identify their own target areas, with support from their teachers
- Children will have the appropriate knowledge for next stage of learning
- Children show their learning through the end of theme quizzes or a non-chronological report