Science at

Mickley Village Primary and Nursery School

Science 

Developing Experts

Intent - the knowledge and skills pupils will gain.  

Developing Experts is based around a knowledge-rich curriculum.  We ensure that knowledge is learnt and retained throughout our programmes of study.  In each lesson, pupils are given key facts and knowledge through our storytelling approach to learning.  Further to this, each lesson offers 5 key words and meanings to learn; vocabulary which is then repeated throughout the lesson and quizzed on at the end. 

All our lessons contain a balance of the different ‘Working Scientifically Skills’ and ‘Scientific Enquiry’ types, so that children practice a broad range of skills throughout the curriculum. 

We are currently implementing a knowledge organiser and knowledge test for each and every unit of work, providing summative feedback for teachers and pupils. 

At Mickley Village Primary & Nursery School, we recognise the importance of science in all aspects of life. We encourage children to be inquisitive and see science as the world around them, whilst acquiring specific skills and knowledge to help them think and reason scientifically.  

As a core subject, we give the teaching and learning of science the prominence it requires with science being a driver for some of our Big Questions. Science at Mickley focuses on increasing pupils’ knowledge, vocabulary and understanding of our world, alongside developing their investigative skills. Children are encouraged to develop an understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through different types of science investigations which enable them to answer scientific questions about the world around them. As a result, we develop our children’s natural curiosity, encourage respect, appreciation and tolerance for living organisms, the physical environment whilst also providing opportunities for critical evaluation of evidence. Our progressive curriculum allows well pitched teaching and learning of science. 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. This approach ensures all pupils are equipped with the scientific knowledge, vocabulary and skills needed to understand the uses and implications of science, today, in the past and for the future. 

Implementation 

At Mickley Village School, we use the Developing Experts scheme to plan lessons that will ignite children's passion for science. Our lessons ensure all children learn and retain knowledge throughout the programmes of study and have exciting experiments to inspire future generations to explore STEM careers. Teachers create a positive attitude to science learning within their classrooms and reinforce an expectation that all pupils are capable of achieving high standards in science. We ensure that lessons are engaging and accessible by making adaptations to meet individual children's needs.  

• We provide 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. 

• Teachers use precise questioning in class to test conceptual knowledge and skills and assess children regularly to identify those with gaps in learning. 

• We build upon learning and skill development from previous years. 

• Working scientifically skills are embedded into lessons to ensure skill progression. 

• New vocabulary is shared with the children and displayed in the classroom. 

• Teachers demonstrate how to use scientific equipment, and the various Working Scientifically skills in order to embed scientific understanding. 

• Science will be taught in planned and arranged topic blocks to have a project based approached. This is a strategy to enable the achievement of a greater depth of knowledge. 

Impact 

The successful approach to the teaching of science at Mickley Village school will result in children developing their confidence, a love of science and the world around them. We want children to enjoy and value science and appreciate the range of skills it will provide them with. We have several assessment opportunities to track pupils progress within lessons and units of work. As mentioned previously, an essential part of the children becoming scientists is by providing experiments, promoting curiosity and encouraging children to ask questions to ignite their passion for science! 

By the end of KS2, our expectation is that: 

• Children will be able to develop their own questions 

• Children will be able to plan different types of enquiries to answer those questions 

• Children will be able to communicate their findings in a variety of ways. 

• children will understand that part of science is failing and problem solving helps to overcome these failures. 

• Children will have a clear understanding of how scientists both past and present have contributed to society’s understanding of the world around them. 

• Children will understand the role that science plays in solving some of the key problems facing the world, such as climate change. 

Aims and objectives 

The aims of science are to enable children to: 

• ask and answer scientific questions; plan and carry out scientific investigations, using equipment, including computers, correctly