Science

Science curriculum statement – intent, implementation, impact

At Cherry Hinton Primary School, we want every child to see themselves as a scientist and never stop being amazed by the wonders our world has to offer – inspired learners; to carry on asking questions and explore the possibilities open to them – inquisitive thinkers; and to consider themselves advocates, caretakers and problem solvers for our world now and in the future – kind hearts.

Intent:

In our rapidly evolving world, science is a vital part of our curriculum. Science stimulates and excites pupils’ curiosity about phenomena and events in the world around them. Science teaching at Cherry Hinton aims to give all children a strong understanding of that world whilst acquiring specific skills and knowledge to help them to think scientifically, to gain an understanding of scientific processes and also an understanding of the uses and implications of Science, today and for the future.

At CHPS, scientific enquiry skills are embedded in each topic the children study and these topics are revisited and developed throughout their time at school. Topics, such as Plants, are taught in Key Stage One and studied again in further detail throughout Key Stage Two. This model allows children to build upon their prior knowledge and increases their enthusiasm for the topics whilst embedding this procedural knowledge into the long-term memory and, because science links direct practical experience with ideas, it can engage learners at many levels.

All children are encouraged to develop and use a range of skills including observations, planning and investigations, as well as being encouraged to think as global citizens and question and discuss science-based issues that may affect their own lives, the direction of society and the future of the world. Specialist vocabulary for topics is taught and built up, and effective questioning to communicate ideas is encouraged. Concepts taught are reinforced by focusing on the key features of scientific enquiry, so that pupils learn to use a variety of approaches to answer relevant scientific questions.

Implementation:

At CHPS we implement a Science curriculum that builds on prior skills and knowledge year on year. The Science curriculum will be taught in response to driving questions which are aimed to be challenging, inspiring, creative, nurturing and encourage active learning. As far as possible, each topic has an element which challenges the “Thinking Scientifically” element of the curriculum and focuses on building different aspects of enquiry skills. The means by which we implement this are:

a clear and comprehensive scheme of work planned in line with the National Curriculum where teaching and learning should show progression across all key stages within the strands of Science
an overarching science topic question with knowledge organiser and related vocabulary
a clear and comprehensive scheme of work which plans for practical investigative opportunities within Science lessons

children have access to key vocabulary and definitions in order to understand and readily apply to their written, mathematical and verbal communication of their skills
children use a range of resources to develop their knowledge and understanding that is integral to their learning and develop their understanding of working scientifically
children have opportunities to speak to and work with visiting experts who will enhance the learning experience

children will reflect on previous learning and cross-curricular links will be made wherever possible
children will be able to build on prior knowledge and link ideas together, enabling them to question and become enquiry-based learners
challenge questions will offer opportunities for children to apply their learning in a philosophical and open manner
attainment of each science topic will be assessed through ongoing observations and discussions with pupils during practical work, scrutinising written work and the use of pre- and post-challenge questions.

Impact:

If our children are keeping up with the curriculum, they are deemed to be making good or better progress. We measure the impact of our curriculum through the reflection on standards achieved against the planned outcomes, assessing learning against the age-related expectations for Science, tracking knowledge in pre- and post-learning challenges and in pupil discussions about their learning.

We expect that:

most children will achieve age-related expectations in Science at the end of their cohort year
children will retain knowledge that is pertinent to Science with a real life context
children will be able to question ideas and reflect on knowledge
children will be able to demonstrate their ability to interpret scientific thinking and suggest ways in which they might explore a scientific principle
children will work collaboratively and practically to investigate and experiment
children will be able to explain the process they have taken and be able to reason scientifically.

The impact of our Science curriculum is that our pupils are equipped with the scientific skills and knowledge that will enable then to be ready for the next stage of their curriculum and for life as an adult in the world outside the classroom.

May 2021