Abbotswood Primary School
Together We Aim High, Believe and Achieve
Being a Scientist
Intent
Science is a key core subject of the curriculum. At Abbotswood Primary School, we aim to create a sense of excitement and passion about the subject. Science is taught with purpose and we help children to understand the impact science has on the world. Our children thoroughly enjoy being scientists, especially when involving practical, investigative work. We believe it is important for teachers to develop pupils’ curiosity, enjoyment, skills and a growing understanding of scientific knowledge through an approach whereby children raise questions and investigate the world in which they live. As well as teaching the foundational subject knowledge, we also teach our children key scientific enquiry skills. We encourage them to explain what is happening, predict what might happen, analyse their findings and present them in appropriate ways. We want our children to remember when being scientists in our school, embrace the scientific opportunities they are presented with and develop and use their science knowledge and understand how science impacts our lives and the future.
Implementation
At Abbotswood, science is taught through our Enquiry curriculum. Science skills are built upon and developed throughout the key stages. Skills are developed step by step by building on prior knowledge. For example, 'plants' are taught in KS1, taught again in Lower Key Stage 2 and again in Upper Key Stage 2. Each time, learning is built upon and new skills are introduced to progress understanding further. We constantly revisit prior learning particularly through verbal questioning and 'recap 5' activities. This is the similar for investigation based learning. Working scientifically is a key part of science learning and the skills needed to carry out a range of investigations are developed throughout each year group at Abbotswood.
Impact
The subject leader monitors the coverage of skills and knowledge to ensure that they are taught effectively and consistently through the enquiry curriculum. This is mainly done through learning walks, book and planning scrutiny and pupil and staff voice.
Science Progression at Abbotswood
Science Experiences at Abbotswood
Who To Contact About Science at Abbotswood
Mrs Welsh is the lead scientist at Abbotswood. Please do get in contact if you have any further questions about the subject and how we teach it in our school.
Science Week and Science Club at Abbotswood
To co-inside with British Science Week, at Abbotswood we hold our own science week. Here, the children have the opportunity to carry out various hands-on investigations and experiments, as well as watch fantastic science shows. As well as this, we love to hold a science club one term a year where children get the opportunity to continue the fun at an after-school club.
If you have any further questions about science at Abbotswood Primary, please feel free to contact Miss Smith, our science leader.