BrackenburyScience
Science Intent
At Brackenbury we believe that Science generates curiosity and excitement about the world and above all respect for the environment and all living things.
Science teaching is best when children are engaged in discovering Science reasoning, have their curiosity and enjoyment sparked through exploration and are beginning to use scientific vocabulary in new situations. It is important to us that Lessons are not just confined to the classroom but taken outside (the playground) and offsite (the park or museums).
Children at Brackenbury apply scientific research skills to discover and identify patterns so that they can use evidence to provide solutions to answers. As children progress, they begin to make links to the broader curriculum and their own life experiences as well as developing how to lead their own learning. They do this by carrying out and planning investigations to help provide an answer to their own question.
Science Implementation and Impact
The attainment of key scientific knowledge is an essential part of our science lessons. Science knowledge vocabulary mats have been made and enable children to learn and retain the important, subject-specific vocabulary and knowledge contained within each unit. In addition to being used by class teachers during lessons, they are sent home for each child at the start of each new unit. The progression of skills for working scientifically are developed through the year groups and scientific investigation skills are of key importance within lessons. Teachers create a positive attitude to science learning within their classrooms and underpin an expectation that all children are capable of accomplishing high standards in science. Our whole school approach to the teaching and learning of science involves the following;
- Science is taught in planned, and arranged, topic blocks by the class teacher. Lessons are planned thoroughly to enable all children to be catered for through adapted and differentiated planning suited to all abilities.
- We plan for problem solving and real life opportunities that enable children to find out for themselves. Children are urged 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 practical, engaging lessons with opportunities for precise questioning in class to test conceptual knowledge and skills, and assess children regularly to identify those children with gaps in learning.
- Our progressive curriculum builds upon the learning and skill development of the previous years, on-going assessment is built into the sequence of learning so teachers can identify any misconceptions that need to be addressed.
- Working scientifically skills are embedded into lessons to guarantee 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.
- Through enrichment, such as ‘STEM Week’, we promote the profile of Science and allow time for the children to freely explore scientific topics.
- Each science topic has a ‘scientist lesson’ in which the children will learn about a particular scientist in their field of study. This scientists have been selected in accordance with our school’s diverse community.
Impact
Our pupils meet the challenge of attaining the knowledge and skills linked to the science curriculum, while also building a passion for the subject. Pupils increase the skills needed to navigate an ever-changing world of science and technology by immersing our students with scientific enquiry skills, key scientific knowledge and investigative skills. We create a culture of high scientific aspirations, which will allow our students a platform to develop their scientific learning and careers, and to articulate their understanding of key scientific concepts.
Progression of skills and knowledge
Our ‘Science subject progression of skills and knowledge ‘ document gives further information about what the children are taught in this subject by year group.
Science progression of skills and knowledge
Science Long Term Plan
Science National Curriculum
If you would like to know more, please visit National Curriculum for Science.
