Science
Curriculum Intent (Vision)
At Manor Field, we teach children to understand and appreciate the world around them across the three disciplines; biology, chemistry and physics. To develop a sense of curiosity, excitement to question, investigate and evaluate. To build up an extended specialist vocabulary and recall mathematical skills including collecting, presenting and analysing data. To work scientifically children need to recognise, explore and predict natural processes through practical active learning keeping children engaged and motivated. Having an awareness of the science around them and in the wider world, will support children to become global citizens and make positive, informed choices about their responsibilities to the environment, their health and other scientific issues.
Implementation of the curriculum
We believe children learn best through purposeful and real life contexts; therefore, science is taught weekly, with meaningful links to everyday life and where purposeful, the current project being taught. As well as developing their scientific knowledge, children carry out their own practical investigations to build on the enquiry skills of: planning, predicting, gathering evidence, recording and concluding. Science units are organised to enable the children to develop both substantive and disciplinary skills in unison. Longer investigations are designed to allow children to develop and apply these skills in different contexts. Children are taught specific vocabulary in order for rich scientific discussion to take placef.
“I love Science as you get to ask questions and find solutions for these questions through experiments.”
Staff make use of a range of resources to stimulate and motivate learners. The school grounds and local area are used to engage children with their environment, whilst enriching their learning. Enrichment from beyond the school is organised to further the pupils’ enjoyment of science and to widen their learning experience.
Scientific thinking is valued across our curriculum, with children being encouraged to be curious and to utilise their scientific disciplinary skills in a broad range of ways. As science is constantly changing and evolving, we aim for learners to:
- Make connections between their learning and everyday life;
- Value their own awe and wonder about the world around them;
- Be inquisitive about our Universe and everything within;
- Be equipped with the skill set to explore and find answers to their questions through different investigative approaches;
- Appreciate that everyone, including themselves, are scientists.
“Science is important because without it, we wouldn't be able to answer questions about our world.”
Impact of our curriculum
Supported by our broad and balanced curriculum, Manor Field children view themselves as emerging scientists, who are encouraged to be curious and to utilise their scientific skills in a broad range of ways. Children are equipped with the skills needed to adapt their thinking and investigative approaches to a range of contexts and ideas. The children have an appreciation of their own awe and wonder around them.
Through carefully planned sequences of learning, children develop their scientific knowledge, vocabulary and acquire the skills to generate their own lines of enquiry.
Children of all abilities achieve in all lessons. The most disadvantaged children and children with SEND are given additional resources to broaden their scientific understanding and become curious lifelong learners. More able children rise to the opportunity to be stretched and challenged by making connections with prior learning, which is implemented when carrying out their own investigations.
“We used eggs to find out which type of drink would rot our teeth the most. Orange juice caused the most damage to the egg shell because it had lots of sugar in it!”