At Ellison Primary Academy, we recognise the importance of Science in every aspect of daily life. As one of the core subjects taught in Primary Schools, we understand how it underpins all of the basic knowledge about the world around us and therefore is vitally important to our children’s development; understanding the world through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics through BIG questions they want to find the answers to. The Scientific area of learning is concerned with increasing pupils’ knowledge and understanding of our world, and with developing skills associated with Science as a process of enquiry. Through curriculum units, we aim to develop the natural curiosity of the child, encourage respect for living organisms and the physical environment and provide opportunities for critical evaluation of evidence. Children will be encouraged to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes. During lessons, the children will be immersed in scientific vocabulary, which will aid their knowledge and understanding, not only of the unit they are studying, but of the world around them. We aim to ensure that every child engages with Science which they will be encouraged to relate to their own personal general knowledge and want to share therefore building a positive relationship that they will develop throughout their education. As our vision states ‘Science at Ellison feeds our children’s inquisitive questions with an insight into how and why things are as they are. It encourages them to explore concepts independently, taking risks and experimenting with their ideas’.
In ensuring high standards of teaching and learning in Science, we implement a curriculum that is progressive throughout the whole school. Science is taught as part of a half-termly or termly unit, focusing on knowledge and skills stated in the National Curriculum for KS1 and KS2 and ‘Understanding of the World’ in the Early Years Foundation Stage. This is delivered through a ‘concept based curriculum’ which overarches ‘working scientifically skills’ and is embedded into every lesson to ensure these concepts are being developed throughout the school and the children are made aware of these and how it applies to their learning. New vocabulary is explained to support their learning and to allow the children to work independently. We use a concept-based curriculum and ensure our units are planned to include specific key questions which are focused upon factual, conceptual and debatable content. We involve problem solving opportunities that allow children to find out for themselves. Children are encouraged to ask their own BIG questions and be given opportunities to use their scientific skills and research to discover the answers. This curiosity is celebrated within the classroom and throughout the school. Planning involves teachers creating engaging lessons, that are a balance of child-led and teacher led. These often involving high-quality resources to aid understanding of conceptual knowledge. Teachers use precise questioning in class to test conceptual knowledge and skills, and assess children regularly to identify those children with gaps in learning, so that all children are included and can make progress. The school uses a variety of teaching and learning styles in Science lessons. Our principal aim is to develop the children’s knowledge, skills and understanding in Science.
Ellison Primary Academy provides engaging, high-quality science learning, that ensures our children understand the world and are equipped with scientific skills and knowledge that will enable them to be ready for the curriculum at Key Stage 3 and to support future careers which will undoubtedly involve scientific processes. 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 businesses, children have the understanding that science has changed lives for the better and that it is vital to the world’s future and that of future generations. All children learn the possibilities for careers in science, as a result of our community links and connection with national agencies such as the STEM association/Primary Science Teaching Trust/Ogden Trust and learn from and work with professionals from a range of different scientific backgrounds. These high expectations result in independent learners who are curious and motivated to learn more.