Science at HCPS is led by Mrs H. England and Mrs E. Wilkes

Vision and Principles Statement

Our Intent, Implementation and Impact statement for Science

Intent

Science teaching at Hornsea Community Primary School aims to give all children a strong understanding of the world around them whilst acquiring specific skills and knowledge to help them think scientifically, to gain an understanding of scientific processes and also an understanding of the uses and implications of Science, today and for the future.

We recognise the importance of Science in every aspect of daily life and therefore we give the teaching and learning of Science the prominence it requires. Scientific enquiry skills are embedded in each topic that the children study and these topics are revisited and developed throughout the years. This model allows essential development on the children’s prior knowledge, understanding and vocabulary. Specific vocabulary for each topic is taught and built up, and effective questioning to communicate ideas is encouraged. Throughout Science all children are challenged to develop and use a range of skills including questioning, observing, planning and recording, as well as being encouraged to become independent thinkers and learners. At Hornsea Community Primary School, we strive to provide all children with an inclusive, high quality broad and balanced Science curriculum.

Implementation

The acquisition of key scientific knowledge is an integral part of our science lessons. Linked knowledge organisers enable children to learn and retain the important, useful and powerful vocabulary and knowledge contained within each unit.

The progression of skills for working scientifically are developed through the year groups and scientific enquiry skills are of key importance within lessons.

Our whole school approach to the teaching and learning of science involves the following:

• Science will be taught in planned, and arranged, topic blocks by the class teacher. Our strategy is to enable all children to be catered for through reasonable adjustments.
• We plan for problem solving and real life opportunities that enable the children to find out for themselves. Children are encouraged to ask their own questions and be given opportunities to use their scientific skills and research to discover the answers. Curiosity is celebrated within the classroom. Planning involves teachers creating practical, engaging lessons with opportunities for precise questioning to test conceptual knowledge and skills, and assess children regularly to identify those children with gaps in learning.
• Our curriculum is progressive. We build upon learning and skill development of the previous year.
• Working scientifically skills are embedded in lessons to ensure these skills are being developed throughout the children’s school career, and new vocabulary and challenging concepts are introduced through direct teaching. This is developed through the years, in keeping with the topics.
• Teaching demonstrates how to use scientific equipment and the various Working Scientifically skills in order to embed scientific understanding. Teachers find opportunities to develop children’s understanding of their surroundings by accessing outdoor learnings and workshops with experts.
• Through enrichment days, such as ‘science week’, we promote the profile of science and allow time for the children to freely explore scientific topics.
• Science is literacy rich. Each topic is linked to a high-quality text which runs parallel to the science lessons. The text provides further cross-curricular reading and writing opportunities linked to the context of the current science topic. The use of the text engages children and helps create links and make comparisons to their learning in science.
• Each Science topic is linked to an inspirational person. These inspirational people offer the children an insight into difference science careers and how science is constantly impacting the world in which we live.

Impact

The successful approach to the teaching of science at Hornsea Community Primary School results in a fun, engaging, high-quality science education. It provides the children with the foundations for understanding the world that they can take with them once they complete their primary education.

Assessment at Hornsea Community Primary School is teacher based and formed using formal strategies (e.g. assessment tasks, quizzes) and informal strategies (verbal/written outcomes, reflection tasks, presentations).

Formative assessment is used as the main tool for assessing the impact of Science as it allows for misconceptions and gaps to be addressed more immediately rather than building on insecure scientific foundations.

Pupil voice is used to further develop the Science curriculum, through the questioning of pupils’ views and attitudes towards Science, to assess the children’s enjoyment of science, and to motivate learners.

At Hornsea Community Primary School, most children will be able to:

• Retain knowledge this is pertinent to Science with a real life context.
• Question ideas and reflect on knowledge.
• Demonstrate a love of science work and an interest in further study and work in this field.
• Work collaboratively and practically to investigate and experiment.
• Explain the process they have taken and be able to reason using scientifically rich language.
• Achieve age related expectations in Science at the end of their cohort year