Science

Science is all around us! At Shoscombe Church School we believe that scientific investigation is one of the most powerful ways to learn; developing curiosity and perseverance as well as challenging what we know about the world. We aim to make science as practical as possible, linking it to real life contexts and giving a meaning to our learning.

As one of the core subjects taught in Primary Schools, we give the teaching and learning of Science the prominence it requires. The children are exposed to a wide variety of topics which fall under the three main disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. The biological thread of plants, animals and humans runs across all year groups; building and developing children’s understanding as they move through the school. This begins with identification of animals and their habitats, and progresses to food chains, life cycles and environmental impacts upon the natural world. Children are also taught in detail about the human body, its processes and how it functions. The chemistry and physics units cover a broad spectrum of topics including space, forces, state of matter, light and electricity among others. As with our whole school curriculum, we will make meaningful links where appropriate. For science, these links may be with the study of our local area, geography, design technology or PSHE.

Within the disciplines of science, we have identified the ‘big ideas’ that help children to link old learning to new learning. These big ideas are:

• BIOLOGY: Plants, Animals and Humans, Living Things, Evolution and Inheritance 
• CHEMISTRY: Materials and Rocks
• PHYSICS: Movement, Forces and Magnets, Light and Seeing, Sound and Hearing, Electricity, Seasons, Earth and Space

Our science lessons aim to be practical and interactive, teaching knowledge through using and applying the skills of scientific enquiry, enabling children to ask and answer scientific questions with confidence and accuracy. Specialist vocabulary for topics is taught and built up, and effective questioning to communicate ideas is encouraged. We have identified the ‘big ideas’ of scientific enquiry as:

• Comparative and fair testing
• Observing over time
• Pattern seeking
• Identifying, classifying and grouping
• Research using secondary sources

We have also identified a range of enquiry skills:

• Making predictions
• Asking questions
• Setting up tests
• Observing and measuring
• Recording data
• Interpreting and communicating results
• Evaluating

Progression in science

Our 2-year cycle ensures that pupils revisit learning throughout the course of their primary education. This ensures as they progress through the years, their scientific knowledge deepens. Units will start with recap and revision to ensure that children are secure in essential prior knowledge before moving on.

What will your child learn in science?

Shoscombe Science Progression Document

National Curriculum Programmes of Study – science

Wider science opportunities

We celebrate Science Week by choosing a topic (such as light and sound) and then plan engaging, practical activities and experiments whereby children can work like Scientists-doing such things as observing, testing and hypothesising.  We invite specialists to come in to share information on Science in the real world. Additionally, we have two science focus terms, per year to ensure science is given the time it deserves as a core subject. We have also made close links to our local and wider environment and ensure each class carries out a science trip per year.