Science
Overview of the subject:
Science at Spire aims to inspire and excite the children about the world around them. We want the children to develop curiosity about the wonders of the world and develop an understanding and knowledge of how science has changed and shaped our everyday lives.
Science at Spire Juniors provides children with practical learning opportunities. Through using a range of different ideas and concepts, children are engaged through first-hand experiences.
Our science curriculum encourages children to become enquiry-based learners, through questioning, researching, investigating and evaluating experiences. All aspects of ‘working scientifically’ from the National Curriculum are intertwined throughout science at Spire to ensure that children gain an understanding of what it means to be a successful scientist.
The school’s approach to science takes into account the school’s context and ensures that the children have access to expert opportunities. Cross-curricular experiences are identified, mapped and planned to ensure links are made between subjects.
The children’s love of science is developed by yearly events such as ‘science week’ and workshop days provided by the Royal Institution of Science. We believe these experiences are extremely valuable to our children.
Subject Information:
Intent:
At Spire, we want children to develop a love for science, with an appreciated of how much Science impacts on our everyday lives. We want the children to use their science knowledge to confidently explore and discover the world around them. Through teaching Science, we want to provide our children with skills-based and knowledge rich experiences that link to Science, Engineering, Technology and Maths (STEM Subjects).
Our intention it to support the children to learn to answer questions and discuss scientific issues that may affect their own lives and to help them develop their ‘working scientifically’ skills in order for them to ask, action and evaluate their own enquiries.
To broaden the children’s understanding of science further, we aim to conduct visits, use the outdoors and invite visitors into school from STEM backgrounds to inspire the children.
Implementation:
Planning for Science at Spire involves following the programme of study within the 2014 National Curriculum. Children are taught on a yearly rolling programme, which also includes a rolling programme of study for mixed Y3/4.
Science is taught weekly throughout school, as best to fit in with our curriculum questions. Where possible, when a strong link is evident between the project within a class and the science topic, science will be taught within the class’s key question. However, if there is no clear link between the subjects, science may be taught as a stand-alone subject for that term.
At the start of each science topic, children are provided with a ‘knowledge mat’ that includes key scientific vocabulary, along with definitions. Alongside this, the knowledge mat will show key diagrams and famous scientists, as well as ‘sticky knowledge’ which we want the children to remember.
At the start and end of each science topic, children will complete a pre- and post-assessment to show their understanding and learning of the topic that has been taught. This allows for analysis of any misconceptions within learning where gaps can be addressed with individual children.
At Spire, we are always aiming to improve our children’s use of vocabulary. Therefore, throughout our teaching, use of knowledge mats and activities, our science teaching aims to constantly improve our children’s understanding of scientific vocabulary.
Impact:
We are confident that the curriculum at Spire is successful in the teaching and learning of science and will ensure that children not only acquire the appropriate age-related knowledge linked to the science curriculum, but also develop skills which equip them to progress in their everyday lives. All children will successfully develop a wide variety of skills linked to scientific knowledge and skills, alongside a rich vocabulary which will enable them to articulate their understanding of taught concepts. Through the range of scientific experiences we provide for the children, we believe that their aspirations will increase and will see them through to a successful adult life.
Through monitoring and feedback of science lessons, most children make good levels of progress between their pre- and post-topic tests. This demonstrates that the science teaching across school is consistent and accessible to all pupils.
What do science lessons look like?
A Science lesson at Spire begins with the children writing the date and their learning intention into their books, followed by their ‘6 in 6’ retrieval task based on prior knowledge that has previously been taught. This helps the children apply their prior learning to answer questions and develops their retrieval skills over time to embed core scientific knowledge. Once the questions have been discussed as a class, topic-specific learning is taught based on their learning intention. Throughout this, group learning opportunities are promoted through the use of KAGAN tasks, along with paired and independent work to support learning. Once key learning questions and ideas have been discussed, children will complete a practical experiment to support their learning. This will always begin with a prediction to support the children’s ‘scientific’ skills. Once the children have carried out their experiment and results have been gained, an evaluation is complete to analyse and identify the results found.
Long-term subject overview:
What else is happening in science?
Last Year, we had a range of celebrations at Spire dedicated to science learning. These include:
- Celebrating National Science Day. All classes got to experience the planetarium dome, developing their learning about different planets in the Solar System. Following this, each class completed a ‘Space-themed’ activity to share their learning.
- Watching the Royal Institution Science Show. All children got to watch a Science Show based on the theme ‘cells. Parents/Carers and members of the community were also invited for a community show.
- Visiting Parkside Community School. During the Y6 topic ‘Animals including humans’, the children were invited to Parkside for the morning to watch a live heart dissection.
- Celebrating National Science week based on the theme of ‘time’. Each class celebrated by completing a range of science experiments throughout the day.
- A 2-day residential trip to Whitehall. During this trip, the Y5’s got to complete a range of STEM activities to enhance their learning. This included identifying forces during the zip wire and learning about light whilst exploring the caves.
Based on our recent pupil voice questionnaires, it is clear that these exciting and practical learning experiences stay with the children for long periods of time and continue to develop their eagerness and enthusiasm for Science at Spire!
Science at home:
Here are some websites you may wish to explore to develop your science knowledge at home. You will be able to find a wide range of science activities and experiments to complete as a family.
Resources | Primary (stem.org.uk)
https://education.theiet.org/primary/primary-experiments-and-activity-packs/
https://www.steamcafe.net/stem-at-home/