If you would like to find out more information about our Science curriculum, please contact our Science subject leader Mrs Waugh using the following email address:

office@bishopchavasseschool.org.uk

Bishop Chavasse CofE School

Science Curriculum Statement

Click on the image to see the Whole School Science Plan

We are following the Andrew Berry Kent Scheme.

Intent
The 2014 National Curriculum for Science aims to ensure that all children:

• 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 enquiry that helps them to answer scientific questions about the world around them
• are equipped with the scientific skills required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future. We understand that it is important for lessons to have a skills-based focus, and that the knowledge can be taught through this

At Bishop Chavasse, we encourage children to be inquisitive throughout their time at our school and beyond. For this reason we ensure that our Science curriculum fosters a healthy curiosity in our children about our universe and promotes respect for the living and non-living things. Our science curriculum encompasses the acquisition of knowledge, concepts, skills and positive attitudes and throughout the programs of study, the children will acquire and develop the key knowledge that has been identified within each unit and across each year group, as well as the application of scientific skills. We ensure that our curriculum provides clear progression of skills in order that they are built-on and developed throughout children’s time at the school so that they can apply their knowledge of science when using equipment, conducting experiments, and explaining concepts with confidence. Our science curriculum provides opportunity for the children to ask questions and be curious about their surroundings.

Implementation
Teachers create a positive attitude to science learning within their classrooms and reinforce an expectation that all children are capable of achieving high standards in science. Our whole school approach to the teaching and learning of science involves the following;

• Science will be taught through planned topic blocks by the class teacher and the children’s learning will incorporate a range of theory and practical lessons which build upon the children’s prior knowledge within the area being taught.  This is a strategy to enable children to revisit prior knowledge and build upon this, resulting in retention of knowledge.
• Through our planning, we involve 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. This curiosity is celebrated within the classroom. Planning involves teachers creating engaging lessons, often involving high-quality, Empiribox resources, to aid understanding of conceptual knowledge.  
• Topic vocabulary is pre-taught and teachers use high order questioning in class to test conceptual knowledge and skills.
• We build upon the learning and skill development of the previous years. As the children’s knowledge and understanding increases, and they become more proficient in selecting, using scientific equipment, collating and interpreting results, they become increasingly confident in their growing ability to come to conclusions and challenge their ideas, based on real evidence.
• Working Scientifically skills 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. This is developed progressively, in-keeping with the topics.
• Teachers demonstrate how to use scientific equipment, and the various Working Scientifically skills in order to embed scientific understanding and prevent misconceptions.
• Teachers find opportunities to develop children’s understanding of their surroundings by accessing our extensive outdoor learning areas and through relevant  workshops delivered by experts.
• Children are offered a wide range of extra-curricular activities, visits, trips and visitors to complement and broaden the delivery of their science curriculum. These are purposeful and link with the knowledge being taught in class, enabling the children to know more and remember more.
• Regular events, such as Science Week or project days, offer all pupils the opportunity to come off-timetable and receive a broader provision and the acquisition and application of knowledge and skills. These events often involve families and the wider community.

Impact
The successful approach at Bishop Chavasse results in a fun, engaging, high-quality science education, which provides children with the foundations and knowledge for understanding the world in which they live. Our engagement with the local environment both within the school grounds, as well as beyond it, ensures that children learn through varied and first hand experiences of the world around them.

Frequent, continuous and progressive learning outside the classroom is embedded throughout the science curriculum. 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. Children learn the possibilities for careers in science, as a result of our community links.  We seek opportunities for professionals, to talk about their careers, ensuring that children have access to positive role models within the field of science from the immediate and wider local community such as dentists, doctors and engineers. Our children are encouraged to feel that they are scientists and capable of achieving.  Children at Bishop Chavasse overwhelmingly enjoy science and this results in motivated learners with sound scientific understanding.