Swalwell Primary School
Working together, learning together
Welcome
Science
Intent
At Swalwell Primary School science is an important core subject as it provides the foundations for understanding the world. Through building key knowledge, concepts and skills, pupils should be encouraged to develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about the world around them. They should be encouraged to explain what is occurring through conceptual models and practical activities that progressively build a deep understanding of the science curriculum and ‘Working Scientifically’. The main aspects of science to be studied will be determined by the programmes of study of the National Curriculum 2014.
Implementation
All children are encouraged to develop and use a range of skills including observations, planning and investigations, as well as being encouraged to question the world around them and become independent learners in exploring possible answers for their scientific based questions. Specialist vocabulary for topics is taught, built upon and displayed so that it can be referred to throughout lessons.
Within our school, Science is taught by individual class teachers using a variety of teaching methods. Science regularly involves the children in practical work through small group activities/whole class activities. Teaching methods include whole class teaching, experimental learning, discovery methods, problem solving, open ended investigations, or a mixture of these. At Swalwell we believe that children should be taught Scientific knowledge and facts, but with a focus on applying this knowledge into skills-based activities and enquiries.
To support our key principles, we deliver this curriculum through:
- A skills-focussed approach to teaching that ensures an appropriate and flexible challenge within the classroom. This approach is called ‘dual objective planning’.
- Conceptual threads called ‘science models’ that link topics and support progressively deeper learning. There are four science models that span the curriculum.
- The energy transfer model
- The forces model
- The particle model
- The bigger picture model
- Five key science skills that support both knowledge / conceptual development and Working Scientifically to match pupil performance to national Key Stage expectations.
Impact
Pupil progress is assessed at the end of the unit of work, using a range of assessment techniques including: observations of pupils at work/questioning, pupils’ discussions or oral presentations of their work, pupils’ written, pictorial or graphical work and structured activities.
Please see the links for the schools Medium Term Plan, progression maps, school expectations and Policy. If you would like any further information regarding our Science curriculum then please contact the school.
Science Champions
We currently have 6 Science Champions, who support their peers, promote confidence within Science, discuss plans and ideas for the subject, share their views and help to deliver assemblies.
Their first project will be to work with Groundwork NE to look at recycling within school and the local community.