Science

Intent

We believe that all children are natural explorers, eager to understand the world around them. Our science curriculum builds on this curiosity, encouraging pupils to ask questions, investigate ideas, and develop a secure understanding of scientific concepts.

Through an inquiry-based, hands-on approach, children experience the excitement of discovery, from forming ideas to exploring and drawing conclusions. They learn to think critically, collect and interpret data, and seek reliable answers about the natural world.

Science at Dollis is not just about knowledge, but about nurturing a way of thinking. Pupils develop the skills to make sense of their environment and gain insight into how science influences everyday life.

We believe science is essential to the future — both personally and globally — and we are committed to making it accessible and inspiring for every child.

In conjunction with the aims of the National Curriculum, our Science teaching offers opportunities for children to:-

• develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics;
• develop 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;
• be equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of Science, today and for the future.
• develop the essential scientific enquiry skills to deepen their scientific knowledge.
• use a range of methods to communicate their scientific information and present it in a systematic, scientific manner, including Information technology, diagrams, graphs and charts.
• develop a respect for the materials and equipment they handle with regard to their own, and other children’s safety.
• develop an enthusiasm and enjoyment of scientific learning and discovery.

We endeavour to ensure, that the Science curriculum we provide, will give children the confidence and motivation to continue to further develop their skills into the next stage of their education and life experiences.

Implementation

Science is taught throughout the year and children have weekly lessons in Key Stage 1 and 2, using White Rose Science Scheme. It gives specialist and non-specialist teachers a one stop solution as they help children develop scientific understanding and grasp scientific ideas.

In Early Years, science is taught through play to make them understand the world around them. Key knowledge and skills of each blocked topic have been designed to progress children in each year group across the primary education at Dollis. Children are able to share what they already know and what they hope to learn in the current session at the start of each topic.

The structured lessons will include a flashback four to recap the learning from the previous lessons, Vocabulary and the factual knowledge specific to the current lesson and an opportunity for a formative assessment and activity to work scientifically.

Consideration is given to how greater depth will be taught, their learning outcomes and how it is demonstrated within each lesson, as well as how learners will be supported in line with the school’s commitment to inclusion.