SandownScience
Intent
Sandown School recognises and values Science and Scientific Enquiry. We believe that science inspires children, providing them with awe and wonder, encouraging them to be inquisitive about the world around them.
Science at Sandown aims to develop a fun, practical and engaging high-quality curriculum that inspires the next generation to succeed and excel in science. We give the teaching and learning of Science the prominence it requires. We do this through fully adhering to the aims of the national curriculum and fostering a healthy curiosity and interest in the sciences.
At the heart of our progressive curriculum is scientific investigation. Wherever possible, we intend to deliver lessons where children learn through varied systematic investigations, leading them to be equipped for life, to ask and answer scientific questions about the world around them.
We believe science involves the acquiring of knowledge, concepts, skills and positive attitudes. Throughout the programmes of study, children will gain and develop the key knowledge that has been identified within each unit and across each year group, as well as application of the scientific skills.
We ensure that the Working Scientifically skills are built –on and developed throughout pupils’ time at Sandown School, so that they can apply their knowledge of science when using equipment; conducting experiments and investigation; explaining concepts confidently; being familiar with scientific terminology and, most importantly, to continue to ask questions and be curious about their surroundings.
At Sandown there is a strong ethos of parent involvement in ensuring all opportunities of learning are taken up. We want our children to have high aspirations, a belief in themselves and realise that anything is possible if they put their mind to it.
Implementation
Acquiring key scientific knowledge and concepts is an integral part of our science lessons. Linked knowledge organisers (ASE documents) enables teachers to plan effectively and children to learn and retain the important, useful vocabulary and knowledge contained within each unit.
The progression of skills for working scientifically are developed through the year groups and scientific enquiry skills are of key importance within lessons.
At Sandown School, teachers create a positive attitude to science learning within their classrooms and re inforce 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 in planned and arranged topic blocks by class teacher. Our strategy is to enable all children to be catered for through adapted planning suited to their abilities.
- Termly, whole school investigation are carried out, to provide opportunities for all enquiry types and focus on working scientifically skills.
- We plan for problem solving and real life opportunities that enable 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 and across school. Planning involves teachers creating practical, engaging lessons with opportunities for precise questioning in class to check conceptual knowledge and skills, and assess children regularly to identify those children with gaps in learning.
- We build upon learning and skills development of previous years, we use mind maps and concept cartoons, where teachers can identify misconceptions that need addressing.
- Working scientifically skills are embedded into lessons to ensure these skills are being developed throughout children’s school time and new vocabulary and challenging concepts are introduced through direct teaching. Children have access to key vocabulary displayed on the science boards across each classroom.
- Teachers demonstrate how to use scientific equipment and various Working Scientifically skills in order to embed scientific understanding. Teachers plan for opportunities to develop children’s understanding of their surroundings by accessing outdoor learning.
- There are 6 termly planned sessions at our Green zone for explicit science learning linked with the class topic of science.
- Pupils Science capital is increased by providing enrichment days and wider opportunities like after school science club; whole school science assemblies and experiences like-living eggs and mobile farm; science competitions; workshops with experts; inviting outside agencies to run topic specific workshops with pupils.
- Parent involvement is promoted by use of ‘Science in a bag’ for children to explore science around them with their parents.
- Pupil Voice is used at least once a year to further develop science curriculum through questioning pupils’ views and attitudes to science.
Impact
Our approach to the teaching of science at Sandown School results in a fun, engaging, high quality science education that provides our children with the foundations for understanding the world around them; which they can take with them once they complete their primary education.
The opportunities planned for, will ensure that our children develop transferable skills to explore the world they live in and become confident learners across the curriculum.
In addition to the above we will also see:
- Most children achieve age related expectations in Science at the end of their cohort year.
- Children will retain knowledge that is pertinent to Science with a real life context.
- Children will be able to question ideas and reflect on knowledge.
- Children will work collaboratively and practically to investigate and experiment.
- Children will be able to explain the process they have taken and be able to reason scientifically.
- Children will be able to make connections and apply their knowledge and understanding in the real life contexts (Green Zone)
CONGRATULATIONS!
We have been awarded the Primary Science Quality Mark which celebrates Sandown Schools commitment to excellence in Primary Science. Have a look at our journey to achieving this award below.
Primary Science Quality Mark Portfolio
Have a look at what else we get up to in Science here
