Goldstone Primary School & Little Owls Nursery

Intent

At Goldstone Primary School, it is our intention to provide a high quality science education that provides children with the foundations they need to recognise the importance of science in every aspect of daily life. Science at Goldstone Primary aims to develop a fun, practical and engaging high-quality curriculum that inspires the next generation to succeed and excel in science. We do this through fulfilling the aims of the national curriculum and developing a curiosity and interest in the sciences. Scientific investigation is our main focus and we intend to deliver lessons where children learn through varied systematic investigations, leading them to be equipped to ask and answer scientific questions about the world around them. It will encourage respect for living organisms and for the physical environment.

Teachers will ensure that all children are exposed to high quality teaching and learning experiences. These will hook the children’s interest, enabling them to develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena.

All children will be provided with a broad and balanced science curriculum which reflects the equality and diversity policies and practice in school.

We ensure that 'Working Scientifically' skills are built-on and developed throughout children’s time at the school so that they can apply their knowledge of science when using equipment, conducting experiments and investigation, building arguments and explaining concepts confidently, being familiar with scientific terminology and, most importantly, to continue to ask questions and be curious about their surroundings.

Implementation

Teaching and Learning

• Plan and deliver the science outlined in the Primary National Curriculum and knowledge organisers, including all the relevant learning objectives.
• Use a range of first hand practical experiences, allowing for development of the different inquiry skills.
• Allow for opportunities to develop own knowledge through research, exploratory play, experimentation and observation.
• Scientific enquiry skills (Working Scientifically) taught explicitly alongside subject knowledge content.
• Use a range of resources, outdoor spaces and technology to support learning.
• Health and safety to be an integral part of the children’s learning and planning process.
• All learning and activities planned to be accessible to all learners, including those with SEND, disadvantaged and other factors. Adaptations for these groups of children are made to allow access to the science curriculum.
• Additional enrichment provided through; Theme days/weeks/clubs/workshops/school trips. These are made accessible to all ages and abilities.

Impact

The successful approach to the teaching of science at Goldstone Primary results in a fun, engaging, high-quality science education, that provides children with the foundations for understanding the world that they can take with them once they complete their primary education.  So much of science lends itself to outdoor learning, and so we provide children with opportunities to experience this. In Reception, the children visit the wooded area every Monday afternoon to notice the changing seasons and take part in a variety of activities.  Children learn the possibilities for careers in science as a result of our community links and enrichment activities such as ‘Aspirations Week’.  Pupil voice is used to further develop the science curriculum, through questioning of pupils’ views and attitudes towards science, to assess the children’s enjoyment of science, and to motivate learners.