Science

Intent

Question

Every science investigation begins with an enquiry question. The children are then encouraged to . The skill of questioning allows students to pursue their ideas and explore the world around them. Being able to ask rich questions about who, what, where, when, why, and how, enables students to construct their knowledge and develop an understanding of concepts and experiences as well as a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena.

Investigate

Homework Project - Solar System

We give children the opportunity to carry out many different types of investigation throughout their science learning, equipping children with five different types of enquiry approaches to find answers to investigative questions. This develops understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through different types of science enquiries that help them to answer scientific questions about the world around them.

Conclude

Here we analyse and present data found through investigate phase, summarising findings and patterns spotted or observations made. Pupils build secure foundations by using discussion to probe and remedy their misconceptions. It allows children to give evidence and explain their evidence, further supporting scientific thinking.

Implementation

We use the Kapow scheme of work to support the teaching of Science at Swaffield. To meet the aims of the National curriculum for Science and in response to the Ofsted research review of Science, the scheme of work has the following key strands:

● Scientific knowledge and understanding of:

○ biology: living organisms and vital processes;
○ chemistry: matter and its properties;
○ physics: how the world we live in ‘works’.

● Working scientifically: processes and methods of science to answer questions about the world
around us.
● Science in action: uses and implications of science in the past, present and for the future.
Our planning for science follows a spiral curriculum, with essential knowledge and skills revisited with
increasing complexity, allowing pupils to revisit and build on their previous learning. A range of activities
within lessons gives pupils opportunities to reflect on prior learning, ensuring new learning is approached
with confidence.

Impact

We monitor the impact of our teaching in Science through both formative and summative assessment opportunities. Each unit has a quiz and a knowledge and skills catcher, which we use at the beginning and the end of the unit to provide a summative assessment. Opportunities for pupils to communicate using scientific vocabulary will also form part of the assessment process in each unit.

By the end of Year 6, our pupils should leave our school equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in science at Key stage 3. They will be able to confidently and meaningfully question and explore the world around them and they will understand the significance and impact of science on society.

Visit our Curriculum page which gives details of Swaffield's 2024/2025 curriculum for each year group.

Science Award

Swaffield has been awarded the Primary Science Quality Mark. This award scheme celebrates excellence in science in primary schools across the UK.

Mrs Naldrett, subject leader for Science at Swaffield, said:

I'm thrilled that we've been given this award. It's about raising attainment in science and increasing its profile within school but most importantly, it's about making science a fun, enjoyable experience for the children and igniting their interest.

STEM Ambassador Award

Swaffield was delighted to be recognised for:

The commitment of staff for encouraging and inspiring young people in STEM subjects
through the use of STEM Ambassadors.

Science Week

Each year we run a Science & Enterprise Week where teachers spend the time focusing on the Science curriculum.

The week is always action-packed with visits from experts in the science field, theatre groups, workshops and much more.

For example: the children learned about electricity and the subject was brought to life by Brainwave Science in some special assemblies and workshops.

In the past we have worked with Burntwood Academy which is recognised as a secondary school which excels in the teaching of science and Swaffield is very fortunate to be part of a cluster group of primary schools which benefits from regular contact with the science department there.

Through our relationship with Burntwood we are able to have guest teachers to work with classes, run workshops throughout the year and we arrange for Years 5 and 6 to visit the school and take part in science lessons using ‘secondary school’ equipment, such as Bunsen burners and force metres.