Intent of Science curriculum

At Roebuck, we have reviewed our curriculum to ensure that it meets the needs and interests of our current pupils.

Early Years science is taught through exploration and investigation of the world as demonstrated by the Early Learning Goal: ‘Children know about similarities and differences in relation to places, objects, materials and living things. They talk about the features of their own immediate environment and how environments might vary from one another. They make observations of animals and plants and explain why some things occur, and talk about changes.’

It is very much a hands on and practical approach where children’s interests are vital to the planning and teaching of early science. Outdoor learning is a vital part of Science.  It is important that children understand the relevance of their learning and relate it to everyday life and the world outside the classroom. Teachers make use of areas such as Creature Corner and the allotments to enhance children’s learning in Science and bring it to life for them. We want our science curriculum at Roebuck to be real:

• R-relevant and research based
• E-exciting, engaging and enquiry led (which outdoor learning is vital)
• Authentic and aspirational
• L-lively for lifelong learning

In Key Stage 1 and 2, we now use the Snap Science medium term and long term plans. We encourage the children to learn through experimentation and enquiry. In addition, it provides knowledge and skills. Further to this, each unit has an overarching big question which frames the topic and gets the children more engaged with the unit and thinking about their own questions that they want to find the answers to. Teachers plan for an enquiry approach to all topics.

Pupil voice reflects the improved consistency of teaching science across the school. Governors found ‘Pupils had been engaged and enthusiastic about Science lessons and keen to talk to governors about their experiments and the curriculum.’  Governors report January 2020.

Implementation

Friday morning Science lessons, which last one and a half hours, are in place across the school (Key Stage one and two). In EYFS, Science is taught as an integral part of their topic work. It is taught through the Early Learning Goal  ‘Understanding the World’ which makes up a significant part of their learning. One way the children learn is through investigations such as, which objects sink and float in water? They also use ‘curiosity cubes’ which allow them to explore, investigate and ask questions about different things.

Science week is planned as an event following national themes.

During lockdown, the school was provided with weekly updates from the Herts for Learning Science advisory team. This was shared with all staff to support home learning and online resources were shared with parents via the website and home learning challenges.

In addition, Explorify set up home support and resources which was shared with all parents via the website.

All resources are organised and now stored centrally in the school.

Impact

The school makes very good use of partnerships. Opportunities are in place which include; Science technology, engineering and maths (STEM) workshops, MBDA STEM enrichment activities for pupils and STEM continued professional development (CPD) for teaching staff.

Communication was maintained with Set Point and Virtual Stem Ambassadors are being arranged for autumn term.

CPD and setting up CREST awards for parents to follow at home has been postponed until the autumn term.

A free family workshop, which we had planned for May, has also been cancelled and will be rearranged.

Making these links provides our children with exciting experiences to enhance their learning in Science. Children are excited about their learning and look forward to these opportunities. Working with the local secondary schools, helps the older children with their transition to secondary school. In addition, we are providing the children with a basis to build on which could result in them taking up careers in STEM.