Science
Living to learn, learning to live.
At Sithney School, we recognise and value the importance of science in helping children to understand and make sense of the world around them. We aim to provide a high-quality, practical and engaging science curriculum that inspires curiosity, develops knowledge and skills, and enables all pupils to achieve and succeed in science.
Our science curriculum is designed in line with the aims of the National Curriculum and seeks to foster a lifelong interest in the sciences through a balance of knowledge acquisition and scientific enquiry.
Children are given regular opportunities to use scientific equipment, conduct investigations, make careful observations, gather and analyse evidence, and draw conclusions based on their findings. As they move through the school, pupils become increasingly confident in constructing arguments, explaining scientific concepts and using accurate scientific vocabulary. Most importantly, we aim to nurture a sense of curiosity, encouraging children to ask questions and seek answers about the world around them.
Throughout our science curriculum, both substantive knowledge (the scientific content and concepts) and disciplinary knowledge (how scientific knowledge is generated and applied) are planned for. This ensures that children develop a secure understanding of key scientific concepts while also building the enquiry skills needed to work and think as scientists.
To support the teaching of science, we utilise the Cornerstones Curriculum and Ogden Trust resources, ensuring progression in both scientific knowledge and enquiry skills across all year groups. Wherever possible, learning is delivered through practical, hands-on investigations and real-life contexts that enable children to explore scientific concepts in meaningful and memorable ways.
Through these experiences, pupils develop a deeper understanding of scientific ideas and processes, as well as the confidence to think critically, solve problems and ask thoughtful questions about the world around them. We aim to equip all children with the knowledge, enquiry skills and curiosity needed to engage with science both in their education and in their future lives.
Science units are linked to the class topic where appropriate to ensure the learning is meaningful and relevant whilst the rolling programme ensures full coverage across the curriculum. We use Cornerstones and the Ogden Trust (physics) to deliver discrete weekly sessions to ensure scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding of all primary aspects of biology, chemistry and physics are taught . This includes accurate understanding and use of subject specific vocabulary in both written work and discussion in class.
We use the Cornerstones Curriculum and Ogden Trust to deliver discrete weekly science lessons, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the primary science curriculum across the disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. These schemes provide a strong foundation for teaching and learning, while allowing teachers the flexibility to adapt, enhance and personalise lessons to meet the needs, interests and experiences of our pupils.
Each lesson begins with a retrieval activity that is carefully designed to revisit and consolidate prior learning, strengthen long-term memory and identify any misconceptions. By regularly revisiting key knowledge and concepts, pupils develop greater confidence and are better able to make connections between current and previous learning.
Teaching builds progressively on what children already know and understand, enabling them to deepen their scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding over time. Through high-quality explanations, practical investigations and purposeful discussion, pupils are supported to think critically, apply their learning and develop a secure understanding of scientific concepts.
This approach ensures that scientific knowledge is taught in a coherent and meaningful way, enabling children to retain key learning, make links across topics and develop as confident, curious and knowledgeable young scientists.
What We Want to See
At Sithney School, we want science to develop pupils’ understanding of the world, nurture their natural curiosity and equip them with the essential knowledge and skills needed to succeed in an increasingly scientific and technological society.
A high-quality science education provides the foundations for understanding the world through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics.
We aim for children to build a strong understanding of the role science plays in their everyday lives and to develop an awareness of the diverse opportunities and careers that science can offer in the future.
As pupils build their knowledge and understanding, they are encouraged to appreciate the power of scientific enquiry and rational explanation.
We want children to approach the world with curiosity and enthusiasm, asking questions, seeking evidence and developing a sense of excitement about natural phenomena.
Through practical investigation, discussion and critical thinking, pupils learn how science can be used to explain observations, predict outcomes, analyse causes and solve problems.
We strive to develop confident, inquisitive learners who are able to think scientifically, make informed decisions and engage thoughtfully with the world around them.
Scientific Enquiry and Working Scientifically Skills
Biology Chemistry and Physics strands with concepts
Websites:
https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/games-and-apps
https://www.science-sparks.com/fun-science-facts/
https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/category/discover/science/