Science
Excalibur Academies Trust’s Curriculum Intent
To build a continuum of learning from EYFS to post A-Level. Through an aspirational, inclusive curriculum, our pupils will learn to become innovative, curious scientists. They will be challenged to think about the implications of science today and in the future, as responsible, global citizens.
Our Intent
The study of science ignites children’s excitement and curiosity about the world around them. As such, May Park Primary School aims to provide a high-quality science education that develops children’s knowledge and understanding of our world, through the disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. Creating curious learners, who predict, question and explore. Through science enquiries, children will develop an understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science and work scientifically to answer questions about the world around them.
The science curriculum at May Park equips children with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications for science, today and for the future.
When studying Science May Park pupils:
- Celebrate achievement through making good progress in our scientific understanding.
- Develop a respect for science as a study of the world around us.
- Explore equality, cultural awareness and diversity within science.
- Show curiosity, by formulating and asking questions about the world around us.
- Are creative in their approach to demonstrating their scientific knowledge and understanding.
- Show resilience, by embracing challenge when mistakes are made.
Implementation
Scientific subject knowledge and concepts are taught through an enquiry approach. Each enquiry has a main subject focus as well as complimentary, subsidiary foci. These are mapped out through the long-term curriculum plans ensuring coverage of the National Curriculum.
Working scientifically is embedded progressively across the science curriculum, within the content of biology, chemistry and physics and is applied by focusing on key features of scientific enquiry, so that pupils learn to use a variety of approaches and work scientifically to answer relevant scientific questions, seek answers to these questions, collect, analyse and present data.
Scientific enquiries include:
- Observing over time
- Pattern seeking
- Identifying, classifying and grouping
- Comparative and fair testing (controlled investigations)
- Researching using secondary sources.
These skills are built on year on year as pupils progress through the curriculum and Key Stages. In every scientific enquiry, children develop their scientific skills and vocabulary. Children take on the role of scientist as the state of being which is central to our enquiry curriculum approach.
Impact
Teachers assess consistently to inform their teaching and planning. Each enquiry builds towards a project that is shared with others. During each Science enquiry a practical investigation takes place. This demonstrates what pupils have learnt through the scientific enquiry and provides opportunities for pupils to work scientifically.
