Science

Science

Science Lead: Ben Street

Why do we teach Science? 

Science is part of the school curriculum used to provide opportunities for all pupils to learn about and explore the world around them. Three Big Ideas underpin our Science curriculum and all of our teaching. Biology is the part of Science where pupils learn to understand the natural world and living things around us. Chemistry is a branch of Science where pupils begin to understand what everything is made of in the world. Physics is where pupils are taught how objects, forces and energy interact. 

We increase science capital by researching various scientists who have changed the way people think about the world and providing opportunities for children to explore the natural world and sites of interest to science and industry in Manchester. Science is a core subject and we prioritise understanding the core knowledge from the curriculum threshold concepts and ensure that children leave Stanley Grove with a secure understanding of the scientific enquiry types and skills. 

What do we teach in Science?

The curriculum content is drawn from the National Curriculum. This has been adapted to create engaging lessons, where the pupils are taught core knowledge alongside the skills needed to work scientifically. We ensure progression through the use of medium term plans, core knowledge, vocabulary documents and regular assessment activities. 

Children are taught to communicate scientifically and ask questions. They are also given frequent opportunities to work scientifically with a variety of types of investigation. Threshold concepts are woven into learning throughout the key stages with individual units breaking down the clear component knowledge. This allows for breadth, leading to a deeper understanding of the fundamental knowledge.  

We work with the Manchester University led SERRIH network to keep improving our curriculum and teacher’s subject knowledge. Further resources are drawn from the Primary Science Teaching Trust (PSTT), Oak National Academy and Explorify (powered by STEM learning and the PSTT). 

Threshold concepts are woven into learning throughout KS1 and 2, with individual units breaking down the clear component knowledge.

How do we teach Science? 

In the Early Years Foundation Stage, Understanding the World milestones are taught through annual links to seasons and festivals, as well as in discreet sessions mostly prompted through books. We have areas of provision indoor and out to encourage children to explore materials. These are frequently enhanced through invitations to explore open ended tuff tray activities with messy and natural materials. We focus on the skills children are using to explore and help them to develop their questioning and investigative skills. 

In KS1 and 2, Science units are taught within a two-week block with six units over the year. Knowledge is carefully sequenced and revisited throughout the key stages and children are given regular opportunities for self-quizzing and open ended tasks recalling previous learning to support their retention of important knowledge. Each lesson has opportunities to develop Working Scientifically investigative skills and children are able to conduct a variety of types of enquiry with these skills such as pattern-seeking, observations, classifications and comparative/fair testing. They are encouraged to research their own questions and problem-solve. We ensure many opportunities to develop the enquiry skills of questioning, predicting, testing, observing/measuring, recording data, interpreting results and evaluation. 

These images are used in KS1 and 2 to support children’s development in Working Scientifically: