At Witherley C.E. Primary School science is an important and valued subject because it is highly relevant and an integral part of daily life, from cooking and checking the weather, to recycling and nature walks. We understand the importance of teaching children about the world in which they love in order to equip them for life beyond the classroom and as global citizens. Science links directly to practical thinking, experiences and can engage learners on many different levels. It stimulates a child's curiosity to find out why things happen as they do. It teaches methods of enquiry and investigation. Children learn to ask scientific questions and develop an understanding of the world around them.

The development of scientific skills and knowledge prepares our children for life in a technological world where they can question and discuss science based issues that may affect their lives, society and the future of the world.

Advances in science are continuing to transform our world at lightning speed and we need to do our best to prepare our pupils for a future we can only imagine.

Through science, our lives are changed for the better. We believe all pupils should be taught about the role that science plays in positive advancements, as well as scientific knowledge, methods and processes.

"The science of today is the technology of tomorrow." ~ Edward Teller.

Intent

At Witherley C.E. Primary school, it is our endeavour to provide a high-quality science education that develops a lifelong curiosity and interest in the sciences for all children. We intend for all children to engage in learning opportunities, which progressively follow all the requirements outlined in the National Curriculum Science Programme of Study. This allows children to be provided with the opportunities to deepen and broaden their scientific knowledge whilst allowing them to develop an everyday application of scientific knowledge in the world around them. Children at Witherley will also develop a respect for all living things, the environment alongside an understanding of their interdependence. They will acquire the skills, knowledge, understanding and key vocabulary, through a scientific attitude.  We strive for our children to build on their skills in working scientifically, as well as on their scientific knowledge, as they develop greater independence in planning, hypothesising and carrying out fair investigations. Through our science curriculum, children will communicate and record information following practical observations, including using computing skills to collect, display and analyse data. Alongside this, children will safely use a range of scientific equipment and develop the ability to interpret scientific information presented in a variety of different formats.

Implementation

At Witherley C.E. Primary School, science is taught weekly using Twinkl Science with a 2-year rolling programme. Where possible this may also coincide with elements of our 'Learning Means The World' curriculum. Science is taught through a sequence of lessons intended to inspire pupils, allowing them to build on prior learning as well as retain important vocabulary and knowledge contained within each unit. Each lesson has a clear focus. Scientific knowledge and enquiry skills are developed with increasing depth and challenge as children move through the year groups. They complete investigations and hands-on activities while gaining the scientific knowledge for each unit. Interwoven into the teaching sequence are key assessment questions. These allow teachers to assess children's levels of understanding at various points in the lesson. They also enable opportunities to recap concepts where necessary. There is also the opportunity to regularly review and evaluate children's understanding. Activities are effectively differentiated so that all children have an appropriate level of support and challenge.

Our detailed lesson plans include adult guidance to ensure that teachers are equipped with secure scientific subject knowledge, enabling them to deliver high-quality teaching and learning opportunities while making them aware of possible scientific misconceptions. The attached Long-Term Plans show the objectives from the National Curriculum that are taught.

Throughout our science curriculum, we learn about:

• Seasonal Change
• Animals including Humans
• Plants
• Materials
• Living Things and Habitats
• Light
• Animals and Teeth
• Rocks
• Electricity
• States of Matter
• Forces and Magnets
• Sound
• Earth and Space
• Properties of Materials
• Evolution and Inheritance

Foundation Stage

In the Foundation Stage science is taught as an integral part of the Learning Means the World themes during the year. The area of learning covered by science within the Foundation Stage is called Knowledge and Understanding of the World, The Early Learning Goals that are specific to science are:

• Explore the natural world around them, making observations and drawing pictures of animals and plants.
• Know some similarities and differences between the natural world around them and contrasting environments, drawing on their experiences and what has been read in class.
• Understand some important processes and changes in the natural world around them, including the seasons and changing states of matter.

Impact

We want our children to leave Witherley C.E. Primary School with a love for the sciences and growing increasingly confident in applying their scientific knowledge and utilising their scientific vocabulary. Our science curriculum facilitates sequential learning and long-term progression on knowledge and skills. Children’s progression is measured through a child’s ability to know more, remember more and explain more. This can be measured in different ways in our units. The use of green key questions ensures opportunities are built into the lesson for ongoing assessment. We aim for children to acquire a variety of skills linked to both scientific knowledge and understanding, as well as scientific enquiry/investigative skills. Children will develop a richer vocabulary which will enable them to articulate their understanding of taught concepts. We will see children with high aspirations, which will see them through to further study, work and a successful adult life.

What do we have to say about science at Witherley?

I like science because it is good to look at different things and how to things work"

 Henry (Year 1)

"In science we get to do lots of work with our friends and it is nice to work with different people and talk to them if we have different ideas about things."

 Perdita (Year 1)

"I like doing the experiments in science and making a prediction about what will happen like when we did the experiment with the ice my prediction was wrong but it didn't matter"

Bradley (Year 2)

"I like looking the animals in science and about what they eat. Herbivores are my favourite!"

Erin (Year 2)