A member of Dales Academies Trust
Science Curriculum Statement
At Carnagill School, our curriculum is built around the attitudes and values of independence, curiosity, aspiration, commitment, kindness and pride. Our school motto of ‘Inspiring Bright Futures Together’ demonstrates our commitment to developing the whole child so that they can succeed in life. Mental health and well-being is a key driver in restoring our school community after the disruption of the pandemic.
At Carnagill School, the curriculum we offer is based around the four key principles of:
We underpin all of this with:
Context
Our science curriculum at Carnagill Primary School aims to be one which is accessible and maximises outcomes for all children. Children can join Carnagill with a range of learning experiences as they have come from different schools across the UK and abroad. With this in mind we aim for all children to develop knowledge, lifelong skills and understanding of the scientific world around them and increase their enjoyment and enthusiasm for science through engaging lessons.
Through our science curriculum children can develop their independence, curiosity and commitment through working scientifically. They are given the opportunity to make hypotheses, test fairly, learn from mistakes and draw conclusions. Frequent and meaningful opportunities for practical, hands-on and memorable experiences prepare our students for the world, and help to replace the scientific cultural capital they miss out on.
Carnagill Primary School is a multicultural school and as such, we recognise the importance of introducing and exploring scientists that all children can relate to, regardless of their gender, ethnicity or background. This will show children what they can aspire to achieve within this subject.
Intent
- Develop independence by learning key subject specific vocabulary in addition to choosing strategies and methods to investigate and explore, analyse and present data.
- Take pride in their science work, in the setting up of investigations to ensure fairness and consistency as well as in the delivery and conclusion.
- Be curious scientists who make connections with the world around them, making reasonable hypotheses through what they already know and working towards finding an answer.
- Show commitment to their learning and a desire to further their knowledge by asking questions and showing an enthusiasm to find an answer or solution through trial and error.
- Show kindness and provide support to peers when selecting resources for investigations. Respect each other’s hypothesis and ideas and understand that they will not always be the same as our own.
- Show aspiration to become scientists, developing skills and knowledge to carry out investigations. Aspire to choose STEM subjects as future career paths and see the worth in scientific developments.
Implementation
Our science curriculum is taught through engaging and thought provoking ‘key questions’ which develop and deepen children’s knowledge across the subject. Through our curriculum, we aim for children to make connections between science and other subjects such as computing, maths, English, geography, and DT.
We aim to ensure that all children:
- Learn, remember, and use subject specific vocabulary
- Know how to investigate, observe, classify and research in order to hypothesise and draw conclusions
- Know how to conduct a fair test
- Have opportunities to evaluate investigations
- Have the opportunity to work with data
- Know about past and present scientists and scientific developments which help shape the world.
A clear progression of knowledge, skills and vocabulary is paramount at Carnagill school. The Long Term plan is thought out carefully to ensure that all requirements from the National Curriculum are met and that new knowledge and skills build upon prior learning. Prior knowledge is checked at the beginning of each topic which then informs and support teaching based on what children already know, what they want/need to know more about and where their interests lie.
We encourage children’s natural desire to learn more, know more and remember more through first-hand experiences and investigations. The science curriculum also supports the development of ambitious scientific vocabulary. Teachers are skilled in the terminology relating to each science topic within their year group(s). The science working walls show a progression across each ‘topic’ as they aim to build up knowledge, vocabulary, and evidence of work which children can access independently to support their learning.
The science curriculum provides opportunities for children to contribute to class discussions and promotes asking questions. Children are also given the opportunity to work collaboratively, learning to respect each other’s ideas, discuss and debate findings and share what they know.
Impact
Outcomes in science books and on SeeSaw will show that children have developed their knowledge and skills across each science topic. Children will have learnt new, relevant scientific vocabulary and be able to use it accurately, in context and with confidence. Children will also be able to demonstrate investigative skills in different contexts to find out more and draw conclusions.
Children will make links to prior knowledge as they move through school and apply what they already know to new learning, showing progress in their understanding of key scientific concepts. They will build upon their knowledge and understanding of the world from Foundation Stage to Year 6 to remember more.
Children will develop their ability to contribute to class and group discussions with respect, deepening their thinking by debating different points of view in a considered manner.
Through the science curriculum children will develop an appreciation of the world around them, beginning with the local community and progressing to current global issues.
