Science
Return to SubjectsScience Lead:
Discover Science Lead: Nichola Edmiston
Engage/Explore Science Lead: Jodie Bainbridge
Engage Understanding of the World Lead: Laura Howe
Engage:
In the Engage Pathway, Science is embedded within our "Topic" based learning, with Learning Objectives and focuses taken from "Understanding the World", which is an area of the Early Years Curriculum.
Understanding the World is broken up into three sections, which include:
- People and Communities
- The World
- Technology
These are delivered through "Topic" and early exposure to a range of topics, such as learning about a range of people, communities and cultural celebrations through our topic "See the Light". Pupils are encouraged to explore a range of objects, materials and living things often using all of their senses. Planning is informed by both Understanding the World and the Engagement Model, which covers Initiation, Persistence, Anticipation, Exploration and Realisation. Some other examples of topics currently in our Three Year KS1/KS2 curriculum cycle are: My Senses, Whatever the Weather, Polar Explorers, In the Garden, You Are What you Eat and At Sea. Some examples within our KS3 Curriculum include: Water, Buildings, Pushes and Pulls and Sweet like Chocolate.
Through these topics, pupils are able to explore a range of Understanding the World targets, ensuring pupils have the vital building blocks of knowledge for Science.
Explore:
In the Explore Pathway Science is broadly based upon the early Science National Curriculum. The Science strands are thematic and detailed in half termly topic overviews and are often set in the context of the half termly theme. The strands coincide with cyclical coverage of all strands to ensure retention of skills and opportunity to generalise skills and make links to the pupils’ EHCP targets and preparation for adulthood targets.
The science curriculum ensures there are opportunities for pupils to develop their confidence through experimentation, investigation and practical activities. This will develop the pupils’ learning to be able to move beyond exploration and look at similarities, differences, patterns and change. They will begin to develop scientific knowledge, skills and understanding, through first hand experiences.
Within the Explore pathway, Science provides space for pupils to nurture their curiosity and allows pupils to ask questions and develop the skills they need to answer those questions. The teaching staff plan to facilitate this curiosity with open ended questions and clearly thought out learning experiences which are both child led and adult led. The learning experiences are carefully planned through effective medium term plans, spanning over a three year cycle and then embedded into teachers planning and activities where differentiation is applied to learners of all levels.
The Science curriculum makes creative links with the area of Forest School as the pupils can use and apply their scientific skills, knowledge and understanding, through hands on experiences within other areas of the curriculum.
Within the Explore Pathway, pupils can develop their confidence through the Science curriculum through the inclusivity of the sequence of learning and activities. Science is also taught to raise aspirations for our pupils by equipping pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of future life.
Discover:
In the Discover Pathway, science is broadly based on the primary stages of the National Curriculum along with ASDAN Life Skills Challenge and Duke of Edinburgh Awards in key stage 4. An important element of the science lessons is cyclical coverage of all strands to ensure retention of skills and knowledge and opportunity to recall and embed skills and knowledge. Emerging skills needed for scientific enquiry are also supported and developed through a range of scientific investigations. Lessons are tailored to student needs, using interests and motivators to engage and may also incorporate EHCP targets e.g. working as part of a team. Pupils are assessed, using the progress ladders, on the completion of each half termly unit of work. There is a science room on the Harraton site and both sites are well resourced to support the practical elements of science. There are cross curricular links with many subjects including Maths, English, Cookery, Careers and Life Skills.
Key Stage 4:
Science will be delivered through ASDAN Life Skills Challenge and Duke of Edinburgh Awards
Subject Documents |
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Science Curriculum Map |
Science Intent Implementation and Impact Statement |