Science

What we want to achieve

Science is one of the core subjects of the National Curriculum and, as such, we recognise the importance of teaching science on a regular basis. Our science curriculum is determined by:

• Foundation Stage Curriculum – Early years
• National Curriculum Programme of Study – Key Stage 1 and 2

both of which have been tailored to meet our own needs.

At Drake Primary School, our curriculum aims to ensure that all pupils:

* develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific

disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics

* 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

* are equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and

implications of science, today and for the future.

Our Science curriculum builds on children’s prior learning; giving them the opportunity to embed their knowledge and develop new skills across the school. Our lessons are often linked to cross-curricular topics to provide a creative scheme of work, which reflects a balanced programme of studies.

Within lessons, children will be given the opportunity to make observations, increase their knowledge, apply ‘working scientifically’ skills and ask questions about the world around them. They will be given the opportunity to carry out experiments and take a ‘hands on’ approach to their learning, even devising their own investigations to answer questions they have. We will ensure this through the use of high quality resources available within school, specialist equipment from The John Innes Centre and use of visitors where possible.

How we will achieve this

We teach science for two hours per week, lessons usually comprise a mixture of knowledge acquisition and experiments or investigations. Regular visits or visitors bring science to life. For example, we have visited the Royal Observatory, had a planetarium in the school hall and been visited by a palaeontologist. In Forest School, children look at plant growth and animal life-cycles. Our school Eco-Council meet weekly to discuss our school and local environment. The council has surveyed energy use in the school, sampled the school voice about recycling and made sure the school library has books about the environment. They are planning to make a nature trail linking the playground to the green spaces around the school. The school celebrates British Science Week with an annual focus on science in lesson activities.