Science
Intent – What do we aspire for our children?
At Cuddington, Science is an inspiring and practical subject where children are encouraged to develop their natural curiosity: to ask questions and find answers. Our progressive curriculum, which encourages the children to question the world around them, enables each child to develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics.
As they progress through our curriculum, children will develop disciplinary knowledge (scientific skills) to enable them to work scientifically. Essential to this process is the development of scientific vocabulary. They will be encouraged to use appropriate vocabulary accurately, both when speaking and in their writing. As they progress through school, they will be able to recognise different types of scientific enquiry and plan when to use them. At every stage, children will be encouraged to communicate scientific concepts clearly and accurately, linking their understanding to the world around them.
Throughout each unit, links are made with the wider curriculum, particularly in maths, reading, writing, ECO and the use of ICT. Children will have opportunities to extend their writing to encompass a range of genre and read for information, for research and for pleasure.
Implementation – How Will We Deliver the Curriculum?
The Switched onto Science Scheme is the vehicle we use to deliver the curriculum in our school, whilst also using Plan Assessment and Tig Tag
Switched on to Science provides full coverage of the National Curriculum Science programmes of study. It provides access to all subject knowledge and working scientifically objectives in a range of contexts to support the embedding of these concepts and skills. Each unit ensures that knowledge, conceptual understanding and the skills to work scientifically are developed integrally.
How do we provide for all learners?
Pupils enjoy learning about Science, both the theoretical and the practical aspects. However, some may struggle with aspects of reading, writing or recording data and information. Pupils are encouraged to work as independently as possible, but reasonable adjustments are made for those pupils with SEND. Teachers aim to make Science accessible and enjoyable for pupils of all abilities by adapting planning; pre-teaching of vocabulary; live modelling during lessons; where appropriate reducing outcome expectations; providing scaffolding, individual or group support or give additional time to complete tasks. Peer support in Science, with paired and group work, can also enhance everyone’s learning, making Science a lesson that everyone looks forward to each week.
Golden 'Eco' threads
We have identified a set of key eco–themed concepts or ‘golden threads’, that children will revisit throughout their time at Cuddington. Our golden threads are aligned with the ‘Ten Topics’ put forward by Eco-Schools. By doing this, we aim to keep environmental issues at the forefront of our science curriculum. For example, the biodiversity thread is covered in EYFS where the children grow plants in their sensory garden. This thread is revisited in Year 1 through the study of Seasons, in Year 2 (Animals and their Habitats), in Lower Key Stage 2 (Plants) and in Upper Key Stage 2 (Living Things and their Habitat).
Where possible, we use our school grounds to enhance our learning in a natural environment, Visitig guests and relevant trips are planned to enhance the learning in the classroom.Each year we plan and deliver a 'Science Week' in line with the British Science Association's plans. This further enables our scientists to develop their engineering, technological and observation skills.
For further information about the science curriculum, please contact Miss Cowie.
cowie@cuddington.cheshire.sch.uk