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West Didsbury CE Primary School

West Didsbury CE Primary School

Science

Science Curriculum

Intent- Our  curriculum  is designed to develop the inquisitive nature of the children throughout their time with us and beyond. Science fosters a healthy curiosity in children about our universe and promotes respect for the living and non-living. We believe science encompasses the acquisition of knowledge, concepts, skills and positive attitudes. Through the programmes of study in the National Curriculum we ensure that the Working Scientifically skills are built-on and developed throughout their school career so that they can use equipment, conduct experiments, build arguments and explain concepts confidently and continue to ask questions and be curious about their surroundings.

The National Curriculum for Science 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.

Implementation-We implement the curriculum through  problem solving opportunities that allow 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. Teachers use precise questioning in class to test conceptual knowledge and skills, and assess children regularly to identify those children with gaps in learning. We build upon the learning and skill development of the previous years. Skills in working scientifically are embedded into 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. The children will learn about animals including humans, materials, plants, seasonal change, living things and their habitats, forces and magnets, rocks, light, sound, electricity, states of matter, earth and space, evolution and inheritance.

Impact-The successful approach at West Didsbury CE Primary School results in a fun, engaging, high-quality science education, that provides children with the foundations for understanding the world through enquiring, exploring and experimenting. In doing so, they deepen their knowledge and understanding of God’s creation. Our engagement with the local environment ensures that children learn through varied and first hand experiences of the world around them. So much of science lends itself to outdoor learning and so we provide children with opportunities to experience this throughout our lessons and engagement with the natural environment in our forest school. Through various workshops, trips and interactions with experts, children have the understanding that science has changed our lives and that it is vital to the world’s future prosperity, in order to ensure children learn the possibilities for careers in science.