Science

When teaching Science at Whittingham, our aim is to inspire a curiosity about natural phenomena and give all our children an understanding of the world around them. Our curriculum aims to support our children to acquire specific skills and knowledge to help them to think scientifically, gain an understanding of scientific processes and also an understanding of the uses and implications of science, today and for the future.

Our Science curriculum embeds core disciplinary knowledge, and the ability to systematically approach challenging, scientifically-valid questions through:

• Scientific Attitudes & Planning - asking scientifically relevant scientific questions and designing controlled investigations.
• Measuring & Observing - learning how to use scientific apparatus like rulers and thermometers, and making systematic observations.
• Recording & Presenting  - setting up data collection tables and presenting this data in a variety of charts and graphs.
• Analysing & Evaluating - interpreting and analysing findings; drawing conclusions and evaluating the reliability of investigations.

At Whittingham, scientific enquiry skills are embedded in each topic the children study with the aim of helping them to answer questions about the world around them. These topics are revisited and developed throughout their time at Whittingham.

When planning for Science, teachers provide the following:  

• A knowledge organiser which outlines knowledge (including vocabulary) all children must master
• A sequence of learning which follows the Rosenshine Principles of Instruction
• A cycle of lessons for each subject, which carefully plans for progression and depth
• Low stakes quizzes which are used regularly to support learners’ ability to retrieve and recall knowledge and increase space in the working memory
• Challenge questions for pupils to apply their learning in a philosophical/open manner

Our Science Curriculum is high quality, well sequenced and is planned to demonstrate progression. If children are keeping up with the curriculum, they are deemed to be making good or better progress. In addition, we measure the impact of our curriculum through the following methods:

• A reflection on standards achieved against the planned outcomes
• Tracking of knowledge in pre and post learning quizzes
• Pupil discussions about their learning

Our science curriculum is also planned in a way which promotes the cultural capital of all our children. We enhance our curriculum especially for the most disadvantaged by organising Science weeks which focus on the wider world and promote careers in science.

These are websites that we use to support our learning.

BBC Bitesize

Oak National Academy: Key Stage 1  Key Stage 2