At Tanworth-in-Arden we believe Science should enthuse, inspire and enable children to find out about the world around them and how it works.

Science includes the study of nature and how things work and the reasons behind every-day things. It is also about making strange, mysterious, and complicated things become things we understand. It is about measuring and testing things, and trying to find rules about how things work by testing them fairly. Working scientifically helps develop critical thinking skills, and has lots of links to other subjects, especially Maths and Design Technology. At Tanworth-in-Arden we try to make Science lessons as practical and enjoyable as possible.  

Intent:

The intent of the Science Curriculum at Tanworth is to give all children:

• a strong understanding of the scientific world around them.

• specific skills and knowledge to help them to think scientifically.

• an understanding of scientific processes.

• an understanding of the uses and implications of Science today and for the future.

It is also the intent of the Science Curriculum to ensure that:

• scientific enquiry skills are embedded in each unit that the children study.

• repetition is built into the long term curriculum so knowledge and skills  are re-visited and built on, supporting with the long-term memory.

• the children are encouraged to develop and use a range of skills including observations, planning and investigations 

• specialist vocabulary is taught and built up during each unit.

• the childen are taught to ask scientific questions and also learn how to explore possible answers to these types of questions.

Implementation:

In Key Stage 1 children have the equivalent to 1 hour of Science teaching each week (minimum). In Key Stage 2 children have the equivalent to 2 hours of Science each week. Children will always participate in at least one scientific experiment or investigation per half term.

When planning the teaching and learning of Science, teachers ensure that each unit offers:

• a knowledge organiser which outlines the vocabulary that all children must master and a class working wall which supports children’s learning and acquisition of new knowledge.

• opportunities to apply a range of skills for ‘Working Scientifically’ which are grouped into Early Years, Key Stage 1, Lower Key Stage 2 and Upper Key Stage 2. Within these year groups, teachers ensure that these skills are revisited according to the unit of work.

• an informal activity at the start of every unit which assesses children’s prior knowledge.

• a cycle of lessons for each unit, which carefully plans for progression and depth.

• the opportunity for children to engage in practical, investigative science;

• challenge questions for pupils to apply their learning in a philosophical/open manner.

• trips and visits from experts who will enhance the learning experience.

Impact:

The intended impact of the Science Curriculum is that the majority of children in each year group are working at the expected level.  At the end of each unit, the teacher carries out assessment linked both to the progression in skills and progression in knowledge.

In addition, it is the intended impact that the children:

• are inspired by the Science Curriculum and want to learn more.

• show the progression in their skills, knowledge and understanding in the work in their books.

• can discuss their learning and remember what they have learnt.

• can identify some key scientists and talk about the impact that their work has had on the world.