Science

Science - Our Intent

Science is planned and sequenced so that new knowledge and skills build on what has been taught before and towards its clearly defined end points.  Children develop understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through different types of science enquiries to enable children to broaden their scientific view of the world around them.

Implementation

• Science is coherently planned, linked and sequenced to progressively build children’s understanding of scientific concepts using the Plymouth Science scheme which has been designed by science experts to allow for maximum content coverage.
• All lessons are planned using skills progressions so that knowledge is taught horizontally across the year group, skills are progressed vertically across the key stage, resulting in diagonal learning.
• All science is taught as a clear and comprehensive scheme of work in line with the National Curriculum.
• Investigations are carried out regularly throughout each unit where children use their scientific knowledge and understanding to explain their findings.
• Children explore, talk about, test and develop ideas.
• We use our ‘recall’ time at the start of each science lesson to develop the children’s long-term memory on specific science knowledge.
• Children who display a specific skill for Science will also be given opportunities to broaden their understanding through workshops with visitors or trips.

Strategies for supporting pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in Science lessons:

• Science download_for_offline
  download_for_offlineScience

 Opportunities

• In Science lessons, children can develop vital speaking and listening skills by engaging in discussions, group work, and presentations. Using scientific language when explaining concepts fosters clarity and confidence, while oracy encourages critical thinking, collaboration, and the ability to articulate ideas effectively to peers.
• Trips are planned linked to the children’s science learning: National Marine Aquarium and the Immersive Space Dome.

Recommended Links

BBC Bitesize 

Explorify 

Impact

Science is planned and sequenced so that new knowledge and skills build on what has been taught before and towards its clearly defined end points.  Children develop understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through different types of science enquiries to enable children to broaden their scientific view of the world around them.

Assessment

At Fourlanesend, we place a strong emphasis on assessing students’ understanding in Science. At the end of each unit, we conduct end of unit quizzes that allow teachers to evaluate what students have learned. These tests help to identify strengths and areas for improvement. Additionally, we incorporate quizzes from pervious learning and year groups regularly to reinforce knowledge retention. These quizzes are designed to be short and focused, allowing students to demonstrate their mastery of core concepts.

During lessons, we also engage students in recall activities, where they verbally share what they have learned. This encourages collaborative discussion and enables teachers to assess comprehension in real-time. Furthermore, higher order questioning is a key component of our assessments. By asking open-ended questions, we challenge students to think critically and explore the subject in deeper ways. This comprehensive approach ensures that we foster a rich understanding of Science.