Science for Life at Holgate Academy
Intent
Our Science curriculum provides the foundations of understanding the world through the effective teaching of biology, chemistry and physics.
At Holgate, our Science curriculum will:
Our engaging curriculum will inspire children through stimulating and motivating lessons, and by encouraging active and resourceful learning for all. All learners will be challenged, and will be taught new concepts that will be effectively integrated with prior knowledge. Our curriculum aims to support the development of key scientific knowledge, encouraging curiosity and excitement about natural phenomena and the world around us.
Science at Holgate is designed to deepen knowledge and develop skills, ensuring effective progression across all year groups. Specialist vocabulary and terminology for Science units is taught and built upon, and effective questioning and enquiry is actively encouraged.
At Holgate, scientific processes and skills such as observation, classification or identifying variables are taught in relation to specific substantive knowledge.
Implementation
In Science, we implement an inclusive and challenging curriculum that meets the statutory requirements of the National Curriculum and ensures that no child is left behind.
Our detailed curriculum provides many cross curricular opportunities that are rich in subject specific language and vocabulary. This allows the children to also apply their knowledge in other subjects, to enhance their understanding of Science. In lessons, there are many opportunities to work scientifically, and scientific skills are built into all lessons, in order to deepen and reinforce knowledge and understanding.
Knowledge retrieval is a key aspect of every Science lesson across the year groups. This gives children the opportunity to demonstrate and recall their prior knowledge, to then enable strong connections for their new learning.
Knowledge retrieval comes in many different forms, from the use of our class “memory boxes”, to filling in words in a stem sentence. This is to ensure that previously taught knowledge in constantly revisited. Recap starters are scaffolded appropriately to ensure all children access this knowledge. Within the lesson, new learning is modelled and scaffolded to allow new knowledge to be connected with wider knowledge. Particular emphasis is put on modelling key vocabulary, knowledge and skills.
A series of engaging lessons are planned that are relevant to each topic. They will include many opportunities for pupils to carry out specific practical procedures and scientific investigations. The lessons will have clear knowledge and skill based learning objectives and will include subject specific vocabulary. This vocabulary will be used on working walls, and used with visual prompts on tables.
Our curriculum is delivered through highly effective quality first teaching. Enrichment opportunities, including outdoor learning with the Nomad Rangers, inspirational visitors and educational visits, provide our children with valuable experiences and will enhance teaching, learning and knowledge.
In EYFS and Key Stage 1, children start by exploring the natural world around them. This includes learning about the four seasons, the parts of a plant and comparing the properties of different materials. This allows them to have first-hand experiences of planting seeds and observing how materials/objects can be changed. Children start to develop their investigative skills by deciding what makes a test fair, and they may discuss and record the results of a Scientific investigation.
In Key Stage 2, children build on their prior knowledge and continue to develop a deep knowledge and understanding of the world around them. Children are encouraged to enquire, ask questions and think critically in order to deep and connected knowledge of Science. They will make accurate predictions based on information gathered in their investigations, and they are also given opportunities to record data and present it in a variety of ways.
Impact
At Holgate, all pupils’ learning is progressive, challenging and stimulating to their general interest. Children develop the skills of creativity, perseverance and co-operation to enhance their ability to learn confidently in the whole curriculum.
By the time children leave Holgate, they are ready for the next step of their learning. Our curriculum provides them with essential scientific knowledge, language and vocabulary as well as opportunities for scientific enquiry and for developing investigative skills.
This enables pupils to embark successfully onto their journey into secondary school, the Key Stage 3 curriculum and beyond as knowledgeable scientists, equipped for the world with no limits to their success.