Science Intent, Implementation and Impact Statement
Intent
It is important that children are given the opportunity to explore and understand the world in which they live. Science at Holbeach Primary Academy is about giving children the tools to develop their ideas and ways of working that enable them to understand the world through investigation with independence, resilience and enjoyment.
At Holbeach Bank Academy, we believe that a broad and balanced science education is the entitlement of all children, regardless of ethnic, origin, gender, class, aptitude or disability.
Implementation
Children at Holbeach Bank Academy learn through a thematic curriculum, with the teaching and learning of science being based on investigation, observation and application. The theme is changed each half term to ensure children are exposed to many different scientific topics throughout their time at school.
Children in the foundation stage are taught the science elements as indicated in the statutory framework under the Early Years Goal of the Natural World where they explore the natural world around them, making observations and drawing pictures of animals and plants and understand some important processes and changes in the natural world around them, including the seasons and changing states of matter.
Links to other areas of the curriculum that enhance their understanding of science are identified and incorporated into planning. Each topic is taught as a block of work each half term. The curriculum overviews are available on the shared file, or can be found with the relevant year group teachers. Science books and medium term plans are monitored by the science team on a termly basis, and support given where required.
In addition to the knowledge and understanding aspects of the National Curriculum, emphasis needs to be put on scientific investigation and enquiry, including the correct use and care of scientific apparatus. When planning the learning experiences, the pupils’ previous experiences and present understanding should be taken into account.
Science is taught in a cross curricular way, particularly with clear links to PE, maths and computing. As an academy, we use the topic curriculum but some areas of the Science curriculum are taught as stand-alone topics. Our children experience science outside of the classroom as much as possible.
Teachers are encouraged to actively teach science skills, and reinforce learning with selected enquiry stimulations. We encourage children to ask and answer their own questions as often as they like. Children should complete at least one investigation per half term. These investigations should be based on their current topic but have a focus on developing the children’s scientific skills.
Impact
The successful approach at Holbeach Bank Academy results in a fun, engaging, high-quality science education that provides children with the foundations for understanding the world. 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. Through various workshops, trips and interactions with experts and local charities, children have the understanding that science has changed our lives and that it is vital to the world’s future prosperity. Pupil voice is used to further develop the Science curriculum, through questioning of pupil’s views and attitudes to Science to support the children’s enjoyment of science and to motivate learners.
Science Policy
Through the key stages, pupils observe, explore and ask questions about living things and life processes, materials and physical processes. They begin to work together to collect evidence to help them answer questions and to link this to simple scientific ideas. They evaluate evidence and consider whether tests or comparisons are fair.
They use reference materials to find out more about scientific ideas. They share their ideas and communicate them using scientific language, drawings, charts and tables.
