Science

 

"Primary science ignites pupils' curiosity and offers opportunities to develop their observation, questioning and reasoning skills whilst increasing their appreciation, knowledge and understanding of the world around them and stimulating a lifelong interest in science."  Society of Biology

"The important thing is to never stop questioning."  Albert Einstein

Curriculum Intent

At Ladbrooke JMI School we believe that science draws on children’s natural interest and curiosity in the world around them.  Lessons will allow our children to be actively involved in investigations through generating their own questions and planning and setting up their own tests. Through our science curriculum, we will develop in children strong observational skills, high quality scientific language, opportunities to record data in a variety of ways and the ability to develop well thought out conclusions.

Implementation

The science curriculum is a balance of scientific knowledge and investigative skills and children are encouraged to work scientifically and follow their own line of enquiry.

We follow the White Rose Scheme for Science. The White Rose Science curriculum meticulously maps out the progression of both scientific knowledge and working scientifically skills (substantive and disciplinary knowledge) throughout the academic year. This strategic alignment ensures that the knowledge and skills are tailored to each year group, and the small-step approach guarantees sufficient coverage and time for effective teaching and consolidation of these essential skills. Each small-step is accompanied by a National Curriculum link, indicating the covered substantive knowledge and the disciplinary skill.

In each step of our curriculum, practical ideas are integrated to encourage children to consolidate and deepen their understanding of both knowledge and skills-based concepts. These practical ideas are complemented by accompanying worksheets specifically designed to offer additional, adaptable opportunities for reinforcing learning associated with the small-step approach. Moreover, each block includes an enquiry question selected from one of the five enquiry types, further enriching children’s understanding of the scientific enquiry process.

Impact

The successful approach at Ladbrooke results in a fun, engaging, high-quality science education that provides children with the skills and knowledge for understanding the world around them.  All children will feel that they are scientists by displaying curiosity, asking questions and having the skills to investigate. Learning outside the classroom is embedded throughout our science curriculum and children have opportunities to take part in workshops, trips and interactions with experts.  This ensures pupils have access to positive role models within the field of science.

Science Curriculum Links

Science Pupil Quotes

"We are learning about materials. Discovery Dog gave us a challenge to see if we can see through materials that were transparent, translucent and opaque."
Year 2 pupil
"We tested materials and we learnt that electricity travels through metals. We could choose the materials that we wanted to test."
Year 2 pupil
"We have been learning about light. The moon looks like a light source but it is not. The moon reflects the sun. I liked going into the hall. Mr Ward turned the lights off and people held mirrors. I held a torch and we had to get the light to shine on the mirror but there were books blocking the light. I learnt that light only travels in straight lines."
Year 3 pupil
"Learning about electricity inspired me to go home and make a circuit where a rocket launched when the circuit was complete."

 Year 3 pupil

"In science you need to be able to measure accurately and that helps my maths."
Year 3 pupil
"I love science. I really like investigating. In year 2, we did an investigation to turn on a light. Now that we are in year 4, we have been testing materials to see how much light they reflect. I didn't expect the tin foil to reflect the most light."
Year 4 pupil
"Science is the best. It is challenging because you are not being told the information you need but you are witnessing it for yourself."
Year 5 pupil
"I really liked it in year 4 when we went pond dipping. We saw lots of interesting creatures and it helped me when we were classifying creatures at the beginning of year 5."
Year 5 pupil
In year 3 I remember going to the park to look at different types of rocks. I really liked learning about the different types of rock and I learnt a lot about fossils too. I think that we will look at fossils again when we study evolution. I already know that birds evolved from dinosaurs."
Year 5 pupil
"Last year we tried to grow sunflowers. Now we are learning about the lifecycle of plants. We are going to dissect a plant and identify the different parts next week."
Year 6