Our Science Curriculum nurtures the curiosity that warmly enters our everyday environment, where an abundance of practical skills encourages our observations and our questions to become investigations, predictions and conclusions. A hands-on, open-minded philosophy enables us to reason the world which we share, the body we occupy and the objects we employ. Culminating in an enjoyment from uncovering the answers.

Science Curriculum Intent

The children at Pennine Way are expected to study the different strands of the National Curriculum as they progress through the school with EYFS doing their science work through ‘Understanding of the World’. This will involve as much practical work as possible so the children will gain the required skills of Scientific Enquiry. These include asking questions, using a variety of equipment, identifying and classifying, performing tests and gathering and recording data to help in answering questions.

Further up the school they should record, classify and present data in a variety of ways and use models to describe scientific ideas. Throughout the child’s primary phase they will learn, practise and refine the skills of planning enquiries, creating fair tests and using results to form conclusions. The children’s understanding will follow a clear progression between year groups building on learning from previous year groups, revisiting ideas and addressing any misconceptions. This will help them to have a deeper understanding of the subjects covered as well as improving their long term memory. Pupils with SEN will have the same input as their peers but there will be more support given as well as differentiation by outcome.

Core knowledge is taught so as to match topics taught in other subjects or to match the most suitable season of the year for that particular study ie Plants predominantly taught in Spring which is growing season.

Science Curriculum Implementation

Children will be involved in carrying out tests, investigations and experiments as well as planning them. They will be shown a variety of ways of ‘writing up’ these experiments to keep their interest. Lessons include as many ‘hands on’ activities as possible to allow maximum involvement. Good resources will be used that allow children to test, experiment and find out for themselves. Subjects will be revisited to support long term memory work. We involve ‘out of school’ adults within club time and lessons to enthuse the children and allow broader learning. Children use iPads to support their scientific enquiries and research.

We have connections to continue with Harraby Climate Change Pledge with an Eco Club running weekly, with the children steering the group as much as possible, as well as work with Science Cluster Group gaining support and ideas. Our close work with RRCA provides support as well as resources, as well as ensuring a smoother transition process for the Year 6s moving to Year 7. Staff CPD is provided when and where necessary.

Science Curriculum Map

Our curriculum skills for Science show the progression of knowledge and skills within each year group, each study and within the strand of scientific enquiry. 

Science is taught weekly throughout the year. Some studies are repeated in future year groups but with a different focus, e.g. everyday materials in year 1 and then the uses of everyday materials in year 2. Where appropriate, studies have been placed to work alongside other studies within other subjects, e.g. Electricity in Science being taught before pupils explore electrical systems in Design and Technology in year 4.

Science Curriculum Skills and Critical Content

Our curriculum skills for Science show the progression of skills within each year group and study of Science. 

Critical content for our recovery curriculum in Science has been evaluated and our priority is on based around lost content and critical content needed for progression and links between concepts to be made. After splitting the Science curriculum into the key areas of Physics, Biology and Chemistry, each skill was followed to identify critical content of each year group, with the focus being on essential knowledge needed for the future studies. Each of the studies has 1 or 2 skills which prove crucial as foundations for the children’s next steps in their education. Throughout each year group, skills in observation and experimentation are vital and need to be a focus to give all pupils the opportunity to apply their Science knowledge and understanding to difference scenarios.