Science

Science at Wharton Church of England Primary School

'He wraps up the waters in his clouds, yet the clouds do not burst under their weight' Job 26:8

WHAT IF ONLY ONE SPECIES EXISTED?

Our children are entitled to be taught the key knowledge and skills in the scientific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics and to develop an understanding of the world around them at an age-appropriate level and in line with the National Curriculum. We aim to harness children’s natural excitement and curiosity and inspire them to pursue scientific enquiry, develop understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through different types of science enquiries that help them to answer scientific questions about the world around them. We aim to ensure the children are equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future. Pupils will also learn about the practices of science so that they know how scientific knowledge becomes established through scientific enquiry. Science has been carefully sequenced across units and years because we know that, ‘when knowledge is well structured, it becomes meaningful, flexible and easier to access. Within our science curriculum the sequential component knowledge is clearly broken down into steps and composite tasks outlined through which pupils will embed that knowledge. Although they are taught together, there is clarity about which knowledge is disciplinary and which is substantive. Revisiting prior learning and carrying out retrieval practice is an important aspect of learning and will support pupils to commit their knowledge to their long-term memory.

The distinction between substantive and disciplinary knowledge ensures that pupils use these side by side to develop expertise, apply and make sense of the knowledge learnt and understand how the knowledge developed and became accepted:

• Substantive knowledge (knowledge of the products of science, such as concepts, laws, theories and models): this is referred to as scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding in the national curriculum

• Disciplinary knowledge (knowledge of how scientific knowledge is generated and grows).

Science in Key Stage 1
In Key Stage 1, the science curriculum provides children with opportunities to explore and experience the world around them. Through the topics, the children are encouraged to think scientifically and ask questions about what they notice. Furthermore, they are taught to use simple scientific language when sharing their thoughts, ideas and observations.

Science units in Key Stage 1
Throughout key stage 1, the children will cover the following scientific units:

Plants
Animals, including humans
Everyday materials
Seasonal Change
Living things and their habitats

Working Scientifically in Key Stage 1
In Key Stage 1, children will learn to use the following methods, processes and skills:

Asking simple questions (for example, 'What would happen if I didn't give a plant water?')
Observing closely, using simple equipment such as a magnifying glass
Identifying and classifying
Using their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions
Gathering and recording data to help in answering questions

Science in Lower Key 2
Across Year 3 and 4, the children are encouraged to raise their own questions about the world we live in through participating in a range of scientific enquiries and experiences. They also start to make their own decisions about the most appropriate scientific enquiry to use to answer the questions they have.

Science units in Lower Key Stage 2
Across Year 3 and 4, the children will cover the following scientific units:

Plants
Animals, including humans
Rocks
Light
Forces and magnets
Living things and their habitats
States of matter
Sound
Electricity

Working scientifically in Lower Key Stage 2
Within lower key stage 2, pupils will cover the following practical scientific methods and skills:

Asking relevant questions
Using different types of scientific enquiries
Setting up simple practical enquiries
Making systematic and careful observations and taking accurate measurements
Using a range of equipment
Gathering, recording, classifying and presenting data
Reporting on findings from enquiries
Using results to draw simple conclusions
Identifying differences, similarities or changes related to simple scientific ideas and processes

Science in Upper Key Stage 2
The main focus of science in Year 5 and 6 is to develop a deeper and more secure understanding of a wide and varied range of scientific ideas. The children will build on existing knowledge and be given opportunities to select the most appropriate ways to answer science questions using different types of scientific enquiry.

Science units in Upper Key Stage 2
Throughout upper key stage 2, the children will cover the following scientific units:

Animals, including humans
Living things and their habitats
Properties and changes of materials
Earth and space
Forces
Evolution and inheritance
Light
Electricity

Working scientifically in Upper Key Stage 2
Within upper key stage 2, the children will cover the following practical scientific methods and skills:

Planning different types of scientific enquiries to answer questions
Recognising and controlling variables
Taking measurements, using a range of scientific equipment
Recording data and results
Using test results to make predictions to set up further comparative and fair tests
Reporting and presenting findings from enquiries
Identifying scientific evidence that has been used to support or refute ideas or arguments

background

T Theology R Relationships A Attitude and Aspirations I Inspire N next Steps.

Train up a child in the way they should go and when they are old they will not depart from it. Proverbs 22 v 6

Files to Download

Science National Curriculum - Key Stage 1 & 2 8 Tips for Inclusive Science Teaching Science Progression Document 2024/25 Science Policy 2024/25

Science

Files to Download

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