Science

At Hedon Primary School science is …

• Awe inspiring: Children are encouraged to question, wonder and show curiosity. Children enjoy hands-on experiences.
• Inspires thinking and learning: We will endeavour to ensure that the science curriculum we provide will give children the skills and knowledge to further develop them to be scientists of the future.
• Inquisitiveness/Challenging: All children are inspired to deepen their knowledge through use of scientific vocabulary, discussion, questioning and practical investigations.

We recognise the importance of Science in every aspect of daily life. 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 Hedon Primary School, in conjunction with the aims of the National Curriculum, our Science teaching offers opportunities for children to:

• Take part in a broad and balanced range of creative and innovative experiences.
• Embrace our school grounds and the local environment through outdoor learning.
• Develop an enthusiasm and enjoyment of scientific learning and discovery.
• Develop the essential scientific enquiry skills to deepen their scientific knowledge.
• Have opportunities to work collaboratively, creating their own questions about the world around them and then challenging themselves to find the answer through different types of science enquiries, building on skills learnt both in Science and across other subjects.
• Develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
• Be equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of Science, today and for the future.
• Build and retain key vocabulary.
• Use a range of methods to communicate their scientific information 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.

Implementation

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.

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.

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.

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.

Regular additional opportunities are provided in Science, such as whole school STEM Week and Child-led Investigation week allow pupils to come off-timetable in an afternoon, to provide broader provision and the acquisition and application of knowledge and skills. These events can also involve families and in addition we also encourage families to join us in the form of ‘Stay and …’ sessions, when they work alongside their child in an activity.

Children are offered trips and visitors to complement, enhance and broaden the curriculum. These are purposeful and link with the knowledge being taught in class. Educational visits linked to the Science Curriculum include those to The Yorkshire Wildlife Park and visitors such as Sam’s Safaris. There is also an extra curriculum Science club.

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.

The approach at Hedon Primary School results in a fun, engaging, high-quality science education, that provides children with the foundations and knowledge for understanding the world.

Children are enthusiastic to work both independently and collaboratively to investigate and solve questions both set by teachers and themselves. They learn through varied and first hand experiences and are willing to challenge themselves to find solutions, not worrying if they get it wrong because they know they will learn from their mistakes.

We provide opportunities to experience Science through outdoor learning and engage as much as possible with the school grounds and local environment, through varied and first hand experiences.

Through various trips and interactions with experts, children have the understanding that science has changed our lives and that it is vital to the world’s future prosperity. 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 the subject and to motivate learners. Children at Hedon Primary overwhelmingly enjoy science and feel that they are scientists and capable of achieving.

Further information