At Hungerford Primary Academy, children are encouraged to be actively involved in Science lessons, with the aim of developing their natural curiosity to learn about the world around them through practical investigations and hands-on experiences.
The aims of the science curriculum and teaching at Hungerford are to encourage children to:
- Develop a questioning and reflective mind by providing a range of exciting and engaging activities.
- Develop a systematic and logical way of working.
- Apply their existing knowledge and skills to investigate concepts and principles by working and thinking scientifically.
- Interpret information and draw links with themselves and the world around them, understanding how science can help to explain what is occurring.
- Make links between their learning in other subjects, such as Maths and English, to help them to analyse and explain scientific ideas and discoveries.
Foundation Stage
The teaching and learning of Science in The Early Years predominantly follows the guidance set out in the area of learning relating to ‘Understanding the World’, within the Development Matters framework, with relevant links also being made to the areas of Communication and Language and Physical Development where appropriate. The children are given opportunities to participate in adult-led and child initiated structured play activities to develop their understanding in both the indoor and outdoor environments. Learning is recorded on Tapestry, the EYFS learning journal tool.
Key Stage One and Two, teaching is based on the National Curriculum Programmes of Study. Science lessons are taught once per week as a whole class and teachers plan to deliver a sequence of knowledge and concepts which build on prior learning. Our whole school approach to the teaching and learning of Science includes the following:
- Use of knowledge organisers and knowledge harvests to ensure that knowledge is being refreshed and used well.
- Appropriate progression in topics previously studied through use of progression maps.
- An over-arching enquiry question as the focus for each lesson with the use of pertinent questioning thereafter to encourage discussion and the development of children’s own enquiry skills.
- An equal focus on both the curriculum content for each topic and the linked Working Scientifically skills.
- Use of age-appropriate, topic related scientific vocabulary.
- Engaging and, where possible, interactive, lessons which appeal to a broad range of learning styles and with purposeful cross-curricular links where possible.
- ‘Super Scientist’ questions to extend learning and deepen understanding, whilst also providing the opportunity for children to be exposed to ‘real-life’ scientists and / or experts in the field.
- Real life learning, using the outdoor environment and / or real-life contexts as a basis for exploring new concepts.
- Opportunities to present findings in a variety of ways.
- A wide range of extra-curricular activities including after school clubs, trips, and guest speakers to complement and broaden the curriculum.