Our Kingston Science Curriculum

We Are Scientists!

HOW WE GET OUR CHILDREN TO BE CURIOUS ABOUT THE WORLD AROUND THEM, SCIENTIFIC THINKERS AND PROBLEM SOLVERS!

Science Statement of Intent

At Kingston Primary School, we recognise the importance of Science in every aspect of daily life. As one of the core subjects taught in primary schools, we give the teaching and learning of Science the prominence it requires.

We believe that every child can master an understanding and love of Science with the right kind of teaching and support.

The Scientific area of learning is concerned with increasing pupils’ knowledge and understanding of our world, and with developing skills associated with Science as a process of enquiry. It will develop the natural curiosity of the child, encourage respect for living organisms and the physical environment and provide opportunities for critical evaluation of evidence.

At Kingston, in conjunction with the aims of the National Curriculum, our Science teaching offers opportunities for children to:

• Develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics
• Develop understanding of the nature, processes and methods of Science through different types of science enquiries; helping them to answer scientific questions about the world around them
• Be equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of Science, today and for the future
• Develop the essential scientific enquiry skills to deepen their scientific knowledge
• Use a range of methods to communicate their scientific learning and present it in a systematic, scientific manner, including I.C.T., diagrams, graphs and charts
• Develop a respect for the materials and equipment they handle with regard to their own, and other children’s safety
• Foster enthusiasm and enjoyment of scientific learning and discovery

Whole School Implementation of our Science Curriculum

Our Taking on the World Curriculum, linked with National Curriculum objectives, will provide a structure and skill development for the science curriculum being taught throughout the school. Where possible science will be taught through themed topics to provide a creative scheme of work, which reflects a balanced programme of study.

At Kingston, children have weekly lessons in Science throughout Key Stage 1 and 2, using various programmes of study and resources. In Early years, science is taught through the children learning about the world around them in their learning through play.

We endeavour to ensure that the Science curriculum we provide will give children the confidence and motivation to continue to further develop their skills into the next stage of their education and life experiences

Teachers create a positive attitude to science learning within their classrooms and reinforce an expectation that all children are capable of achieving high standards in science. Our whole school approach to the teaching and learning of science involves the following:

• Science will be taught via Big Questions such as: ‘Would a polar bear survive in Thundersley? Or ‘How would you travel around the globe without flying? This is a strategy to enable the achievement of a greater depth of knowledge and understanding of science in the wider world
• Through our planning, we involve problem solving opportunities that allow children to find out for themselves. Children are encouraged to ask their own questions and be given opportunities to use their scientific skills and research to discover the answers. This curiosity is celebrated within the classroom. Planning involves teachers creating engaging lessons, often involving high-quality resources to aid understanding of conceptual knowledge. Teachers use questioning in class to test conceptual knowledge and skills, and assess children regularly with WHY U? cards to gauge the children’s’ recall of
  knowledge and concepts
• We build upon the learning and skill development of the previous years. As the children’s knowledge and understanding increases, and they become more proficient in selecting, using scientific equipment, collating and interpreting results, they become increasingly confident in their growing ability to come to conclusions based on real evidence
• Working Scientifically skills are embedded into lessons to ensure these skills are being developed throughout the children’s school career and new vocabulary and challenging concepts are introduced through direct teaching
• Teachers demonstrate how to use scientific equipment, and the various Working Scientifically skills in order to embed scientific understanding
• Teachers find opportunities to develop children’s understanding of their surroundings by accessing outdoor learning and workshops with experts when appropriate

At Kingston we  strive to ensure that our science lessons give our pupils an excellent understanding of the world around them.  We include practical resources in our science teaching as much as possible as we know that this engages our pupils with their learning.  We try to link our science lessons in with our class themes to enable pupils to link their learning with as many subjects as possible.  

We know that a good working knowledge of scientific facts is not only important to be successful in this subject but also so that our children have a better understanding of the world around them.  With this in mind, we have created knowledge organisers for each year group:

Progression Document EYFS - Year 6

Impact
The successful approach at Kingston Primary results in a fun, engaging, high-quality science education, that provides children with the foundations for understanding the world. Children learn the possibilities for careers in science as a result of our community links and connection with national agencies such as the STEM association. Pupil voice is used to further develop the Science curriculum, through questioning of pupil’s views and attitudes to Science to support the children’s enjoyment of science and to motivate learners.