Science

Subject Co-ordinator: Mr Grierson

Science is a vital part of the curriculum as it teaches children to understand the world in which they live and ask questions about why and how things happen.

Our science curriculum is focused on children developing a wide, varied and secure subject knowledge while embedding opportunities throughout lessons for children to work scientifically. The types of scientific enquiry which are embedded within our lessons include: observing over time; pattern seeking; identifying, classifying and grouping; comparative and fair testing; and researching using secondary sources. For the coverage of subject knowledge, you will find a yearly overview of our science curriculum below and also a link to the 'Science programmes of study: key stages 1 and 2' within the Primary National Curriculum. To support us in mapping out the Science National Curriculum and ensuring progression, we use the Switched on Science scheme of work published by Rising Stars and where possible we try to map out the units across each year group to ensure they compliment the English book being covered and the other foundation subjects.

Our Intentions:

At Elton Primary School it is our intention that our science curriculum empowers our students to be able to understand the world we live in and beyond. Our science curriculum will develop our pupils’ enjoyment, excitement, curiosity and interest in scientific knowledge and an appreciation of its contribution to all aspects of everyday life today and for their future. We want our pupils to be able to confidently and creatively express how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave and analyse causes. They will be equipped with the skills to apply different types of scientific enquiries to help them answers scientific questions about the world around them. When developing their scientific knowledge and working scientifically, the pupils will gain skills for their lives in our modern society, through working independently, with their peers, and on technology. Opportunities will also be given to plan, carry out and review their own scientific enquiries allowing them to develop their resilience. Through our ‘Animals including humans’ units we will ensure our pupils understand the importance of good physical health and know how to stay healthy.

A high-quality science education provides the foundations for understanding the world through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. Science has changed our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity, and all pupils should be taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science. Through building up a body of key foundational knowledge and concepts, pupils should be encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena.

Key Stage 1:

The main focus of science in key stage 1 is to provide children with opportunities to experience and observe the world around them. Key stage 1 children should be encouraged to ask questions about what they notice and should begin to use simple scientific language to share their experiences.

Areas of Subject Knowledge:

Over the course of key stage 1, pupils will cover the following scientific units:

Plants
Animals, including humans
Everyday materials
Seasonal Change
Living things and their habitats
Plants

Areas of Working Scientifically:

Within key stage 1, pupils will cover the following practical scientific methods and skills:

asking simple questions
observing closely, using simple equipment
performing simple tests
identifying and classifying
gathering and recording data

Lower Key Stage 2:

The main focus of science in lower key stage 2 is to broaden children's scientific views of the world in which we live. Lower key stage 2 children will be given opportunities to ask their own questions about what they observe and will make decisions about which types of scientific enquiry are likely to be the best ways of answering them.

Areas of Subject Knowledge:

Over the course of lower key stage 2, pupils will cover the following scientific units:

Plants
Animals, including humans
Rocks
Light
Forces and magnets
Living things and their habitats
States of matter
Sound
Electricity

Areas of Working Scientifically:

Within lower key stage 2, pupils will cover the following practical scientific methods and skills:

asking relevant questions
using different types of scientific enquiries
setting up simple practical enquiries
making systematic and careful observations and taking accurate measurements
using a range of equipment
gathering, recording, classifying and presenting data
reporting on findings from enquiries
using results to draw simple conclusions
identifying differences, similarities or changes related to simple scientific ideas and processes

Upper Key Stage 2:

The main focus of science in upper key stage 2 is to develop a deeper understanding of a wide and varied range of scientific ideas. Upper key stage 2 children will be given opportunities to select the most appropriate ways to answer science questions using different types of scientific enquiry.

Areas of Subject Knowledge:

Over the course of upper key stage 2, pupils will cover the following scientific units:

Animals, including humans
Living things and their habitats
Properties and changes of materials
Earth and space
Forces
Evolution and inheritance
Light
Electricity

Areas of Working Scientifically:

Within upper key stage 2, pupils will cover the following practical scientific methods and skills:

planning different types of scientific enquiries to answer questions
recognising and controlling variables
taking measurements, using a range of scientific equipment
recording data and results
using test results to make predictions to set up further comparative and fair tests
reporting and presenting findings from enquiries
identifying scientific evidence that has been used to support or refute ideas or arguments