Science

 

At Messingham Primary School we recognise the importance of a high quality science curriculum. We aim to develop in all young people a lifelong curiosity and interest in the world of science which fulfils the National Curriculum requirements.

Our intent:

  • to promote enjoyment and enthusiasm for learning through practical activity, exploration and discussion
  • for children to become fluent in the fundamentals of science so that they are able to recall and apply their knowledge rapidly and accurately
  • for children to gain a strong understanding of the world around them
  • children to acquire specific skills and knowledge to help them to think scientifically
  • children understand scientific processes and apply to everyday life
  • children to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future

 

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.

 

How we implement this:

 

Science is taught at Messingham within our 2 yearly cycle of the curriculum and planned alongside our custom-made progression of skills document. Taught in either half termly topics or termly topics, science subjects are closely matched with other teaching to ensure cross-curricular links can be formed, enhancing the children’s knowledge and understanding.

 

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. Our whole school approach to the teaching and learning of science involves the following;

 

  • Science will be taught in planned and arranged topic blocks by the class teacher. This is a strategy to enable the achievement of a greater depth of knowledge.
  • Through our planning, we involve problem solving opportunities that allow children to find out for themselves. Children are encouraged to ask their own questions and be given opportunities to use their scientific skills and research to discover the answers. This curiosity is celebrated within the classroom. Planning involves teachers creating engaging lessons, often involving a range of resources to aid understanding of conceptual knowledge. Teachers use precise questioning in class to test conceptual knowledge and skills, and assess children regularly to identify those children with gaps in learning, so that all children keep up.
  • 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.
  • Working Scientifically skills are embedded into lessons to ensure these skills are being developed throughout the children’s school career and new vocabulary and challenging concepts are introduced through direct teaching. This is developed through the years, in-keeping with the topics. It is expected that scientific enquiry skills are practised each half term, allowing the children to develop and write up a scientific experiment/investigation.
  • 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 and workshops with experts.

 

 

The impact:

Our Science Curriculum is high quality, well thought out and is planned to demonstrate progression. If children are keeping up with the curriculum, they are deemed to be making good or better progress. In addition, we measure the impact of our curriculum through the following methods:

  • Assessment of standards achieved against the planned outcomes and our bespoke progression of skills;
  • Pupil discussions about their learning;

 

For any queries regarding Science at Messingham Primary please contact Miss Morris our school’s Science and Curriculum Lead.

Y3/4 recent visit to Magna Science Museum, Sheffield.