Science at Moorcroft Wood Primary School.

Intent

It is our intention in science at Moorcroft Wood Primary School to develop in all young people a lifelong curiosity and interest in the sciences. When planning for the science curriculum, we intend for children to have the opportunity, wherever possible, to learn through varied practical investigations, leading to them being equipped for life to ask and answer scientific questions about the world around them. As children progress through the year groups, they build on their skills in working scientifically, as well as on their scientific knowledge, as they develop greater independence in planning and carrying out fair and comparative tests to answer a range of scientific questions. Science at Moorcroft Wood is structured to ensure children experience a progressive and well-mapped-out science curriculum that provides the opportunity for progression across the full breadth of the science national curriculum for KS1 and KS2 but has its foundations in EYFS. 

Implementation

We use the Planbee Science scheme.  The acquisition of key scientific knowledge is an integral part of our science lessons. Links made to prior learning enable children to learn and retain the important, useful and powerful vocabulary and knowledge contained within each area of learning. The progression of skills for working scientifically are developed through the year groups and scientific enquiry skills are of key importance within lessons. The progression of these skills is set out in the ‘Moorcroft Wood Science Curriculum – Key Skills and Knowledge’ document (see below). Each lesson has a clear focus. Scientific knowledge and enquiry skills are developed with increasing depth and challenge as children move through the year groups. They complete investigations and hands-on activities while gaining the scientific knowledge for each unit. Teachers use key questions which allow teachers to assess children's levels of understanding at various points in the lesson. They also enable opportunities to recap concepts where necessary. The sequence of lessons helps to embed scientific knowledge and skills, with each lesson building on previous learning. There is also the opportunity to regularly review and evaluate children's understanding. Activities are effectively differentiated so that all children have an appropriate level of support and challenge.   Assessment is made against the national curriculum objectives for each unit and a record is kept of children who are either working below or above the expected standard and interventions made.  The school marking policy ensures that swift action is taken to address any misconceptions which may arise or that difficulties faced by learners are addressed.

Impact

Progress in science is measured through a child’s ability to know more, remember more and explain more. Ongoing teacher assessment enable teachers to have a clear indication of a child’s scientific abilities.  Children who feel confident in their science knowledge and enquiry skills will be excited about science, show that they are actively curious to learn more and will see the relevance of what they learn in science lessons to real-life situations and also the importance of science in the real world.  It is our ambition for children to have opinions on a range of scientific issues by the end of KS2.

Curriculum / Progress Map

The Planbee Science scheme that we use in school is used for the delivery of science lessons from year 1 upwards, but the teaching of scientific knowledge, skills and concepts begins in EYFS.  See the above document to see how science is taught in EYFS at Moorcroft Wood.

Our pupils really enjoy their science lessons in school, but science extends way beyond the classroom at Moorcroft Wood.  We really enjoy working with Fizzpop Science who delivered a really exciting science assembly and a very popular (40 children) lunch time science club for children from Reception to Year 6.  

Our EYFS children are encouraged to take part in 'Mini Adventures' which is a scheme launched by Walsall Council.  Although the 'Mini Adventures' project is not specific to science, it is all about widening children's experiences (many of which are related to science).  Click on the link below to find out more about this scheme.

We are also lucky enough to have our very own woodland in school and we take full advantage of it by delivering Forest School sessions.  Again, these are not specifically science lessons, but they allow our children to see and experience first hand nature on their doorstep.  Our children learn about woodland habitats and get to fully experience one!  Forest School session also link well to learning about the seasons and growth of plants.  Children throughout the school take part in Forest School sessions.  See some of the photographs below.

Our Year 4 class visited Grace Academy to see 'The Animal Man'  The children saw a variety of animals and got to hold/stroke them.  It was also good for the children to experience visiting a secondary school.  

The children really enjoyed taking part in 'Science Week' which had the theme of 'connections' this year.  The children enjoyed carrying out investigations and experiments in class as well as taking part in a workshop delivered by Fizz Pop Science.  The week concluded with a 'show and tell' session in the school hall where all of the children got to see what each other had been learning.