Science at Cardinham

Intent

At Cardinham School, we recognise the importance of Science in every aspect of daily life and give the teaching and learning of Science the prominence it deserves. We are committed to providing a high-quality science education that develops children's curiosity, inspires a sense of wonder about the natural world and equips them with the knowledge and skills needed to understand and engage with the world around them.

Our science curriculum is designed to develop children's scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics, whilst also fostering a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. We aim to build a curriculum that enables children to think, question and work like scientists, developing their ability to investigate, observe, predict, evaluate and draw conclusions from evidence.

We encourage children to ask questions about the world around them and seek answers through practical enquiry and investigation. Through rich learning experiences, children develop respect for living organisms, the environment and the processes that shape our world. We aim for all pupils to become confident, independent and resilient learners who can apply scientific knowledge and skills to real-life situations.

Implementation

Science is taught through a carefully sequenced curriculum that builds progressively on prior learning and ensures coverage of the National Curriculum. Units are planned to develop both substantive scientific knowledge and disciplinary knowledge, enabling pupils to understand scientific concepts and work scientifically.

• A clear and comprehensive scheme of work ensures progression in knowledge, skills and vocabulary across all year groups.
• Knowledge and skills are carefully sequenced so that children can build upon prior learning and make meaningful connections across different areas of science.
• Each unit begins by exploring prior knowledge through activities such as KWL grids, discussions and retrieval activities, enabling teachers to identify misconceptions and adapt teaching accordingly.
• Every lesson begins with a recap of previous learning to strengthen retention and address misconceptions.
• Scientific vocabulary is explicitly taught and revisited throughout each unit, enabling children to confidently communicate their understanding through written, verbal and mathematical explanations.
• Knowledge organisers are used to support retrieval practice and aid long-term memory.
• Children engage in practical, hands-on investigations that allow them to develop their understanding of working scientifically.
• Pupils are encouraged to ask questions, make predictions, carry out enquiries, observe carefully, record results and draw evidence-based conclusions.
• A wide range of resources and practical experiences are used to deepen understanding and make learning meaningful and engaging.
• Opportunities are planned for discussion, collaboration and scientific reasoning, enabling children to explain their thinking and justify conclusions using evidence.
• Teachers regularly assess children's understanding through questioning, observations, discussions and assessment tasks to inform future planning.
• End-of-unit assessments and TAPs assessments provide opportunities to evaluate both scientific knowledge and working scientifically skills.
• Science learning is enriched through annual Science Days, educational visits, visitors to school and links to current scientific events and developments.
• Sequencing documents and knowledge organisers are included in science books to support learning and help children understand how knowledge builds over time.
• Children are taught what it means to be a scientist, helping them to develop an understanding of the role science plays in society and the diverse careers it can lead to.

Impact

Through engaging and purposeful science teaching, children develop a secure understanding of scientific concepts alongside the skills required to work scientifically.

As a result of our science curriculum:

• Most pupils achieve age-related expectations in Science by the end of their year group.
• Children retain key scientific knowledge and can apply it within real-life contexts.
• Children develop curiosity and confidently ask questions about the world around them.
• Pupils can plan, carry out and evaluate scientific enquiries using appropriate methods and equipment.
• Children use scientific vocabulary accurately to explain observations, make predictions and justify conclusions.
• Pupils are able to reason scientifically, analyse evidence and draw informed conclusions.
• Children work collaboratively and respectfully during practical investigations and discussions.
• Pupils develop a secure understanding of how scientific knowledge is established and how it contributes to society.
• Children leave Cardinham School with the curiosity, knowledge and skills needed to continue their scientific learning and to make sense of the world around them.

How to Help Your Child at Home

Science is a way of understanding the world and begins with curiosity. Children are natural scientists who enjoy exploring, observing, questioning and investigating. Parents and carers play an important role in fostering this curiosity by encouraging children to ask questions, notice changes in the world around them and discuss how things work.

Science learning at home does not need to be complicated. Simple activities such as observing wildlife, cooking, gardening, exploring materials, discussing the weather or carrying out simple investigations can help develop scientific thinking and enquiry skills.

The following websites provide a range of engaging activities, investigations and resources for children and families:

• Primary Science Teaching Trust (PSTT): https://pstt.org.uk/resources/curriculum-materials/science-fun-at-home
• BBC Bitesize: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize
• BrainPOP Science: https://www.brainpop.com/science
• STEM Learning: https://www.stem.org.uk/home-learning
• Explorify: https://explorify.uk

By encouraging children to explore, question and investigate at home, families can help nurture a lifelong interest in Science and a deeper understanding of the world around them.