Science
Intent
At Tuel Lane, our science curriculum is designed to ignite curiosity and lay the foundation for a lifelong love of science. We follow the White Rose Science scheme of work, which supports children in developing key scientific concepts in a progressive and engaging way. Our intent is for pupils to explore, experiment, and understand the world around them through scientific enquiry, developing essential skills that align with the National Curriculum.
Through our curriculum, we aim to foster:
- Scientific Understanding: Pupils will acquire knowledge about the world, learning to identify, describe, and explain natural phenomena. In Early Years, this begins with simple observations of the environment, while in Key Stage 1, students begin to explore concepts related to living things, materials, and forces.
- Sustainability: We incorporate sustainability into topics, encouraging children to think about how science can help protect the planet. From understanding animals’ habitats to exploring the materials around them, students will learn about environmental conservation, recycling, and climate change, linking directly to the National Curriculum's emphasis on understanding the role of science in the world.
- Diversity in Science: We aim to expose pupils to a diverse range of scientists, showcasing individuals from a variety of cultural backgrounds and genders. This will align with our intention to ensure that science education is inclusive, helping children understand that science is for everyone, regardless of their background.
- British Science Week: We celebrate British Science Week in both Early Years and Key Stage 1, providing opportunities for pupils to engage in hands-on activities and experiments. These activities promote curiosity, highlight the fun side of science, and showcase how science influences our daily lives.
IMPlementation
Our science curriculum is structured to ensure that learning is built progressively from Early Years to Key Stage 1, following the National Curriculum for Science and supported by the White Rose Science scheme of work.
- Early Years (Foundation Stage):
- In Reception, children begin to explore the world around them through the ‘Understanding the World’ strand, which is aligned with Early Learning Goals. Children observe the natural world, talk about similarities and differences, and begin to develop an understanding of the physical world and living things.
- Key Stage 1:
- In Year 1 and Year 2, pupils explore a variety of scientific topics such as ‘Animals, including Humans,’ ‘Materials,’ and ‘Plants’. The National Curriculum specifies that children should be able to identify and name common plants, animals, and materials, as well as explore their properties and uses.
- The White Rose Science scheme of work helps scaffold this learning by breaking down concepts into smaller steps. For example, children will investigate different types of materials and their properties, which ties into the curriculum's aim for pupils to understand the physical world.
- Sustainability is a key focus in our teaching of materials, where we encourage children to think about how to reuse, reduce, and recycle materials. For example, in the ‘Everyday Materials’ unit, children may discuss the environmental impact of materials and the importance of using sustainable resources.
- Throughout the curriculum, we highlight the work of scientists from diverse backgrounds and showcase how science has been shaped by people of different cultures and genders.
- British Science Week:
- During British Science Week, pupils in Early Years and Key Stage 1 engage in practical, hands-on activities that reflect the theme of the year. These activities are designed to spark curiosity and make connections between scientific concepts and the real world. Pupils take part in simple experiments and investigations, helping them see how science can answer questions and solve problems.
Impact
The impact of our science curriculum will be seen in the following ways:
- Early Development of Scientific Knowledge: Pupils will develop an understanding of scientific concepts such as the characteristics of living things, properties of materials, and the basics of forces. By the end of Key Stage 1, pupils will be able to identify, describe, and discuss key scientific ideas.
- Scientific Enquiry Skills: From Early Years through Key Stage 1, pupils will develop the ability to ask questions, make predictions, carry out simple investigations, and observe changes. By the end of Key Stage 1, pupils will be able to use simple equipment to gather data, discuss their findings, and explain their observations, in line with the National Curriculum's expectations for working scientifically.
- Sustainability Awareness: Pupils will have a growing understanding of how human actions impact the environment. In Key Stage 1, children will learn how to reduce waste, reuse materials, and care for the environment. This ties into the National Curriculum’s goal of connecting science with real-world issues, such as sustainability and environmental conservation.
- Appreciation for Diversity in Science: By exploring the contributions of scientists from diverse backgrounds, pupils will understand that science is a field for everyone. They will learn about role models, seeing that people from all walks of life contribute to scientific progress. This helps to promote inclusivity and diversity.
- Engagement with Science: The celebration of British Science Week fosters a positive and exciting attitude towards science. Pupils will leave Early Years and Key Stage 1 with a strong sense of curiosity, eager to continue their scientific journey. They will see science as a fun, engaging subject that shapes the world around them.
In summary, our science curriculum, fosters scientific curiosity, critical thinking, and sustainability awareness, while promoting diversity in science and celebrating the excitement of British Science Week. Through this approach, pupils at Tuel Lane develop a strong foundation in science, preparing them for the next stage of their educational journey.
