Science

Intent:

In Science, we intend to inspire children to ask questions about the world around them, and teach them the knowledge, strategies and skills they need to explore the answers to these questions. We want the Science Curriculum at Somerset Bridge Primary School to inspire our children to be curious about the wider world, and give them an understanding of how the different areas of Science they encounter are connected to each other, and their everyday lives. Children at our school should enjoy their Science lessons, as well as the other opportunities they have to explore Science through their time with us, knowing why this subject is important for them, both now and in the future. The key knowledge taught across the school aims to equip children to build on and develop their own ideas about how the world works, as well as learning how to work scientifically.

Implementation:

At Somerset Bridge Primary School, children’s Science learning is developed by:

• Carefully sequenced Science lessons, which are arranged in blocks allowing all children to develop a secure and in-depth knowledge of different areas of biology, chemistry and physics, building on their prior learning and providing opportunities for children to apply this to new contexts, including making cross-curricular links to other areas of the curriculum.
• Enabling teachers to plan engaging and practical Science lessons that develop the understanding and knowledge of all children. Teachers have access to high-quality resources to develop children’s Science knowledge and skills, including the use of outdoor spaces around the school to develop children’s appreciation and knowledge of their local environment and the natural world.
• Encouraging children to ask their own questions about the world, and providing them with the Working Scientifically skills they need to explore these. The direct teaching and teacher modelling of these skills is embedded into children’s Science learning, so that children develop these progressively.
• Using real-life and practical contexts to help children make links between their learning and their own lives, as well as opportunities for children to enrich their Science learning outside of lessons through trips and extra-curricular activities. These include: children in EFYS visiting a local farm to find out about animals, Year 3 exploring 'The Eden Project' as part of their learning about Plants, and Year 5 going to 'Aerospace Bristol' to further their Space learning.
• Taking part in a whole school Science week, which enables children to apply and further explore the concepts and skills they have learned in their lessons to new contexts and situations, as well as learning to present their knowledge to others.