Science

"I have no special talents, I am only passionately curious."
Albert Einstein

Intent:

• Make science fun​

• Spark curiosity​

• Ignite science talk ​

• Prioritise practical learning using equipment​

• Make use of the outside as much as possible​

• Build Science Capital in all of our children using our Cornish context as a launch pad!​

• Investigate the diverse and ever-changing world around us ​

• Inspire futures!​

We believe that science is a fundamental part of everyday  life and the diverse and ever-changing world around us and our place in it. It is through the study of our science curriculum that we encourage our pupils’ natural curiosity and teach the knowledge, enquiry and working scientifically skills to develop their understanding of, and to illuminate the world around them and beyond. ​

Implementation:

At Grade Ruan our science is taught through first-hand practical experiences, whole-class and small group teaching, while at other times we engage the children in an enquiry-based research activity. We encourage the children to ask, as well as answer, scientific questions. Wherever possible, we involve the pupils in practical activities as these increase enthusiasm and motivation and provide first-hand experience. 

EYFS

Children explore the natural world around them, making observations of animals and plants.  They understand some important processes and changes in the natural world around them, including the seasons and changing states of matter. Science gives children the opportunities to find out and gather experiences which they need to understand the world in which we live.

Key Stage One and Two

We ensure that sufficient time is given to Science, in order to enable pupils to meet the expectations set out in the National Curriculum programme of study. The Science curriculum is coherent and shows progression, allowing time for children to develop and build on their scientific, curious, investigative and reflection skills.

Children have the opportunity to use a variety of data, such as statistics, graphs, pictures, and photographs. We provide engaging learning opportunities for all children by:

• Setting tasks of increasing difficulty
• Providing resources of different complexity.
• Providing challenges designed to allow the children to reflect and think deeper about their learning.
• Asking open ended questions, encouraging the skills of enquiry and investigation

They also begin to recognise that scientific ideas change and develop over time. They select the most appropriate ways to answer science questions using different types of scientific enquiry, including observing changes over different periods of time, noticing patterns, grouping and classifying things, carrying out comparative and fair tests and finding things out using a wide range of secondary sources of information. Pupils should draw conclusions based on their data and observations, use evidence to justify their ideas, and use their scientific knowledge and understanding to explain their findings. ‘Working and thinking scientifically’ should always be referenced and clearly related to science content in the programme of study. Pupils read, spell and pronounce scientific vocabulary correctly.

Impact:

Impact is measured not only by formal results and progress, but also by retention of knowledge and skills, the level of engagement and enjoyment, appropriate use of scientific vocabulary and children's confidence to explore independently, raise questions about work scientifically. Demonstrating a confidence and competence in a range of practical skills, to plan and carry out and evaluate scientific investigations.

Allowing children to develop a passion for science and its links to our everyday lives and its application in past, present and future technologies.