Science at Ellison Boulters

At Ellison Boulters Church of England Academy, we understand the need for all pupils to develop their Scientific ability as an essential component of all subjects and as a subject in its own right. A good understanding of scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding helps to support pupils work across the curriculum.

Intent

At Ellison Boulters Church of England Academy, we believe that a high quality science education provides the foundations for understanding the world through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. Science has changed our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity, and all pupils should be taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science. Through building up a body of key foundational knowledge and concepts, pupils should be encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. They should be encouraged to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes.

Science in our school is about developing children’s ideas and ways of working that enable them to make sense of the world in which they live through investigation, as well as using and applying process skills. The staff at Ellison Boulters ensure that all children are exposed to high quality teaching and learning experiences, which allow children to explore their outdoor environment and locality, thus developing their scientific enquiry and investigative skills. They are immersed in scientific vocabulary, which aids children’s knowledge and understanding not only of the topic they are studying, but of the world around them. We intend to provide all children regardless of ethnic origin, gender, class, aptitude or disability, with a broad and balanced science curriculum.

Implementation

In ensuring high standards of teaching and learning in science, we implement a curriculum that is progressive throughout the whole school.

In EYFS, Science comes under the strand of ‘Knowledge and Understanding of the World’. Using the Statutory Framework as a guidance, the EYFS Curriculum Journey document maps out what the children will learn over the year to enable working towards meeting the Early Learning Goal at the end of Reception. In addition, continuous provision is in place to support children in their learning; this is covered through the year, based on themes, children’s interests and the time of the year.

In Key Stage 1 and 2, the science curriculum is mapped out to ensure alignment with the National Curriculum content and programme of study following a 2-year rolling programme. The units are carefully planned to ensure that there is progression throughout the school. Key skills are also mapped so that these are developed systematically and align directly to the specified working scientifically statements as outlined in the National Curriculum for each phase. Lessons are planned to ensure that key knowledge is developed over time, over the course of each science block and in a progressive sequence.

Key knowledge and skills, in line with the National Curriculum are mapped on the whole school ‘Science Knowledge and Skills Progression Map’. This shows the key knowledge and skills of each unit and how they build through the school.  Work is planned to cater for and extend the attainment levels of all children and includes differentiated tasks according to attainment that enables all pupils to make progress. 

There are a range of teaching methods including class, group and individual teaching. Teaching at all levels provides exposition by the teacher, discussion, consolidation and practise of fundamental skills. Children are encouraged to ask questions and to choose appropriate materials and equipment.  Key vocabulary for each lesson/topic is also on display for all children to see.

Children's work is presented in appropriate ways for a variety of purposes, including writing, diagrams, pictures, modelling, verbally, and with graphics.

We ensure that all children are provided with rich learning experiences that aim to:

• Prepare our children for life in an increasingly scientific and technological world today and in the future.
• Help our children acquire a growing understanding of the nature, processes and methods of scientific ideas.
• Help develop and extend our children’s scientific concept of their world.
• Build on our children’s natural curiosity and developing a scientific approach to problems.
• Encouraging open-mindedness, self-assessment, perseverance and developing the skills of investigation – including: observing, measuring, predicting, hypothesising, experimenting, communicating, interpreting, explaining and evaluating.
• Develop the use of scientific language, recording and techniques.
• Develop the use of computing in investigating and recording.
• Make links between science and other subjects.

Science provides the context for other areas of the curriculum eg  writing a letter to a local politician regarding the closure of a park or a biography of a famous scientist’s life in English or creating a space composition in Music.

So much of science lends itself to outdoor learning and so we provide children with opportunities to experience this, especially during our Forest School sessions.

Impact

Ellison Boulters Church of England Academy provides engaging, high-quality science learning, that ensures our children understand the world and are equipped with scientific skills and knowledge that will enable them to be ready for the curriculum at Key Stage 3 and to support future careers which will undoubtedly involve scientific processes. Through our curriculum and opportunities such as school trips and Science-based visitors in school, children have the understanding that science has changed lives for the better and that it is vital to the world’s future and that of future generations. These high expectations result in independent learners who are curious and motivated to learn more.