Science
At Bledington Primary, we love getting hands on and having fun with Science.
BPS Science overview
Intent
Science is vital to our future prosperity and it is important that our children are engaged with all aspects of science. Science at Bledington Primary aims to provide pupils with the foundations to understand the world around them at an age-appropriate level. New concepts are explored through investigation, discussion and debate as well as through knowledge-based learning. We aim to develop children’s natural excitement and curiosity thus inspiring them to pursue scientific enquiry now and in further life. Throughout the primary years, children should learn to work scientifically by investigating, explaining and analysing, making predictions, questioning the world around them and solving problems. All teachers at Bledington Primary aim to nurture a love for the natural world, excitement for future possibilities in science and provide many opportunities for pupils to grow their own thinking and investigation skills.
Implementation
- The National Curriculum statutory requirements are taught and assessed in each year.
- Teachers are familiar with previous and subsequent year groups’ content in order to link learning and build on previous knowledge through our use of shared assessments.
- When planning, teachers refer to the Bledington Primary progression grid as well as the National Curriculum for their current topic, to ensure teaching is progressive throughout school.
- Teachers refer to the two-year rolling programme where Science topics are specified and linked to History/Geography topics we will be covering each term.
- Science is taught discretely once per week by the class teachers, however, where there is a natural link between a science topic and other curriculum areas, teachers should endeavour to work in a cross-curricular manner.
- Working scientifically skills are progressive and accessed across all science lessons and assessed by the teacher.
- Working scientifically skills are reinforced through whole school science challenge days occurring four or more times an academic year.
- Time is taken to identify and teach the specialist and age-appropriate vocabulary associated with each topic.
- Knowledge organisers are provided and discussed at the beginning of each topic, showing age appropriate vocabulary, skills and knowledge.
- Teaching is differentiated either by resource, support or ability grouping within lessons and topics.
- Use of open ended enquires allows all children to access learning at their level.
- More able learners are challenged to make connections within Science and to apply their knowledge to real world situations.
- Outside visitors and trips are utilised as much as possible.
Assessment
- Children are given the opportunity to demonstrate prior knowledge and then add to this over time so new learning occurs.
- Concept cartoons allow for knowledge to be explained at each child’s level.
- Assessment grids are completed by teachers at the end of each knowledge block and shared with other teachers to show progression.
- Working scientifically skills are assessed progressively across the year by teachers
Impact
As a result of our Science teaching at Bledington, you will see:
- Engaged children who are all challenged and making progress, acquiring age-appropriate knowledge and skills.
- Confident children who can all talk about Science, their learning and the links between topics.
- Curious children who are able to investigate and experiment in a range of ways to find answers to their own questions.
- Children with a rich scientific vocabulary which helps them in science and the wider curriculum.
- Inspiring lessons that use a variety of resources to support learning, that is tracked and monitored to ensure all children make good progress.
- Children with high aspirations, who are inspired to continue Science learning or pursue a STEM related career.
