Science

At Henley Green, we offer every child a broad and balanced Science curriculum which enables them to confidently explore and discover their environment, so that they have a deeper understanding of the world we live in. Science lessons are planned to promote practical, hands-on experiences that encourage curiosity and allow children to generate their own questions and lines of enquiry. Our aim is to help every child to extend their scientific knowledge and to use scientific vocabulary with accuracy.

In the Foundation Stage, children are taught Science through the key area of learning set out within the EYFS Statutory Framework.

Through a broad range of teacher-led, child-initiated and continuous learning opportunities, children will be taught to:

. Use their senses to investigate a range of objects and materials

. Find out about, identify and observe the different features of living things, objects and worldly events

. Look closely at similarities, differences, patterns and change

. Ask questions about why things happen and why things work

. Develop their communication and co-operation skills

. Talk about their findings, sometimes recording them

. Identify and find out about features of the place they live and in the natural world around them.

Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2

Intent

Henley Green Primary School recognises and values the importance of science and scientific enquiry.  Science at Henley Green Primary School aims to develop a fun, practical and engaging high-quality curriculum that inspires the next generation to succeed and excel in science. We do this through fully adhering to the aims of the national curriculum and fostering a healthy curiosity and interest in the sciences.  At the heart of our progressive science curriculum is scientific investigation. Wherever possible we intend to deliver lessons where children learn through varied systematic investigations, leading to them being equipped for life to ask and answer scientific questions about the world around them.  We believe science encompasses the acquisition of knowledge, concepts, skills and positive attitudes. 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 the Working Scientifically skills 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 investigation, building arguments and explaining concepts confidently, being familiar with scientific terminology and, most importantly, to continue to ask questions and be curious about their surroundings.

Implementation

The acquisition of key scientific knowledge is an integral part of our science lessons. Linked vocabulary pages enable children to learn and retain the important, useful, and powerful vocabulary and knowledge contained within each unit. The importance of the vocabulary pages also teaches children the importance of the different strands of science: biologists, chemists and physicians. The progression of skills for working scientifically are developed through the year groups and scientific enquiry skills are of key importance within lessons.  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.

Impact

The successful approach to the teaching of science at Henley Green Primary School  in a fun, engaging, high-quality science education, that provides children with the foundations for understanding the world that they can take with them once they complete their primary education.  So much of science lends itself to outdoor learning, and so we provide children with opportunities to experience this.  Pupil voice is used to further develop the Science curriculum, through questioning of pupils’ views and attitudes towards Science, to assess the children’s enjoyment of science, and to motivate learners.

Our science curriculum is developed from the National Curriculum and in each term the children will focus on one the following topics:

Year 1: Plants, Animals including Humans, Everyday Materials, Seasonal Change

Year 2: Living things and their habitats, Plants, Animals including humans, Uses of everyday

             materials

Year 3: Plants, Animals including humans, Rocks, Light, Forces and magnets

Year 4: Living things and their habitats, Animals including humans, States of Matter, Sound,

             Electricity

Year 5: Living things and their habitats, Animals including humans, Properties and changes of

             materials, Earth and Space, Forces

Year 6: Living things and their habitats, Animals including humans, Evolution and inheritance,

             Light, Electricity

STEM week at Henley Green!