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Science Curriculum Hoylandswaine Primary School

Intent: Knowledge, skills and the National Curriculum

Our approach to the science curriculum is through a themed approach underpinned by the accelerated learning approach to teaching and learning. The key concepts, principles and themes from the National Curriculum have been developed into a range of progressive knowledge & skills through which the children are helped to grow and develop to succeed in 21st century Britain. This scientific enquiry skill-based curriculum with a focus on knowledge acquisition allows a creative way of teaching and learning, enabling us to deliver a more meaningful, engaging, enquiry-based approach for the science curriculum.

The science curriculum we offer is designed to meet the needs of all our pupils by providing purposeful contexts which engage our children. It is rich, varied, imaginative and ambitious and meets the needs of individual learners but can easily be adapted for pupils with additional needs. Through regular assessment, tasks are matched to the ability of each child through differentiated activities, providing a level of challenge that is stimulating for pupils.

Implementation: Accelerated Learning

Science is taught discretely in three categories: biology, chemistry and physics. It is delivered to raise interest, self-esteem, creativity and aspirations of all our children. The science curriculum is rich and varied, which provides our pupils with the skills required for life in the 21st Century. As we deliver a thematic curriculum, we do allow science to be taught as part of this approach where the links enhance the quality of learning in both science and the topic.

The Accelerated Learning Cycle, based on the work of Alastair Smith, is applied in all lessons. It stems from the idea of a supportive and challenging learning environment. The cycle has active engagement through multi-sensory learning, encourages the demonstrating understanding of learning in a variety of ways and the consolidation of knowing.

A gather, skills, apply approach to planning and delivery of lessons is taken across school to ensure children develop a deep understanding of specific skills and are able to apply these in a range of scientific situations.

Ultimately, scientific knowledge and enquriy skills are at the heart of the learning process with the children exploring a wide range of topics, to prepare them for life.

Impact: Assessment

Formative assessment is ongoing throughout each lesson. It judges progress and enables the teacher to make flexible adaptations to thier planned teaching.

Through this regular ongoing assessment, tasks are matched to the ability of each child through differentiated activities, adult support, thus providing a level of challenge that is stimulating for pupils and questioning skills

Alongside formative assessment, the curriculum documents for science are regularly highlighted to identify any gaps or misconceptions to be addressed. This allows children to acquire complex skills that depends on the fundamentals of their prior knowledge in a well designed curriculum sequence.

Our Progressive Skills Curriculum
Science Curriculum Progression in Early Years
Science (Biology) - Progressive Curriculum document example

Credits:

Created with an image by kkolosov - "analysis biochemistry biologist"