Subject Leader: Mrs Clark

Curriculum Intent

At Meadlands, we believe that science is a combination of knowledge and development of scientific skills, such as pattern-seeking and research. We want our pupils to become critical thinkers, who can challenge and question ideas and test out their hypotheses. We want our pupils to recognise the impact of human living on the environment and become future citizens who care and respect the world around them.  

We challenge the stereotypes of the traditional ‘scientist’ and show children real, diverse scientists with Science Heroes for each topic with a focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and maths). We encourage children to be inspired by our heroes, to be courageous and to take risks through working collaboratively. 

Children learn methods of scientific enquiry and how to ask questions to find out specific information. They are taught to use scientific vocabulary accurately and gain knowledge and skills not just in the classroom, but also through educational visits and reading.

We promote a positive mindset and resilience so that our children attain their best, are challenged to achieve their best and leave Meadlands Primary School ready for their secondary education and beyond. It enables them to want to learn and enjoy creating work that allows them to reach a high standard in all areas of the curriculum, with enough time given for researching, discussing, proofreading and redrafting. Having the confidence to take risks is valued and ‘having a go’ encouraged in all areas of the Science curriculum. 

Curriculum Implementation

At Meadlands, we deliver a high-quality science education, providing the foundations for understanding the world. Our pupils are taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science. We encourage them to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. They can understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes.

The curriculum is mapped out into specific units, which incorporate the knowledge and skills children will gain by the end of each half term; these are sequenced to build on prior learning progressively through year groups. At Meadlands, we follow the National Curriculum for science which aims to ensure that all pupils:

• Develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics
• Develop an 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
• Are equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future

• Science lends itself to many cross-curricular links, which are planned and indicated in advance, for children to meet their English targets, demonstrate maths skills and apply other learning through the subject. Real-life experiences enhance learning in Science and enable children to gain knowledge and skills not just in the classroom, but also through engaging activities such as:

• Visits to our wildlife and pond area to search for Minibeasts
• Trips to Kew Gardens to explore different plants from around the world
• Outdoor learning activities in the allotments which are linked to the Science topic

Scientific knowledge and skills are taught creatively; children work towards clearly defined end points, creating opportunities to make connections within and across their learning. Pupils are taught to understand the key concepts that link their learning within Science to other subjects by clearly defined learning intentions for each lesson. Children have frequent opportunities to write at length and read texts linked to their learning in Science; we also promote a strong emphasis on talk throughout the Science curriculum. Relating learning to examples of science in everyday situations enables us to make topics more purposeful, relatable, and engaging. 

Enquiry skills 

At Meadlands Primary School, all children have the opportunity to carry out practical investigations to develop their scientific skills. These are known as 'working scientifically' skills. These enquiry skills support the children to operate as successful scientists. These skills will build upon earlier opportunities from their Early Years of education to play, explore, create, engage in active learning, and think critically. Here we introduce seven science skills that children develop from ages 4 to 11 years:

• asking questions
• making predictions
• setting up tests
• observing and measuring
• recording data
• interpreting and communicating results

Scientific Vocabulary

Key vocabulary is identified for every unit of work in science lessons. Where possible, children link these to their Latin and Greek roots, aligning with our Root Awakenings programme and retrieve definitions of these keywords to ensure a secure understanding of scientific terminology.

   

The Sustainable Global Goals

In the latter half-term of Autumn, all science lessons are based around the sustainable Global Goals. Each class will take one or more of the goals and learn about current challenges and successes and what more needs to be achieved, helping to develop responsible global citizens, fostering environmental awareness. These goals are referred to in a cross-curricular way throughout the year within other subject areas. 

Curriculum Impact

The successful approach at Meadlands Primary School results in a fun, engaging, high-quality science education, that provides children with the foundations and knowledge for understanding the world and becoming global, future citizens. Our engagement with the local environment ensures that children learn through varied and first-hand experiences of the world around them. Frequent and progressive learning outside the classroom in our Wildlife areas, allotments and local community is embedded throughout the science curriculum. Through workshops, trips and interactions with experts our children have the understanding that science has changed our lives and that it is vital to the world’s future sustainability and prosperity. Children learn the possibilities for a myriad of careers in science, as a result of our community links with Grey Court School and St Mary’s University. Our science heroes represent a diverse community of professionals which the children find relatable and inspiring, the exposure to a range of different scientists from various backgrounds encourages all our children to feel they are scientists and capable of achieving. Children at Meadlands Primary School overwhelmingly enjoy science and this results in motivated learners with sound scientific understanding. With our team of teachers consistently using quality assured STEM resources and facilitating scientific enquiries; children have developed a better understanding of the skills they are learning to use and how to apply them across the curriculum in other subjects.