Science at Slimbridge
The aims and objectives of the National Curriculum for Science ensure that children get a broad and balanced coverage of all scientific disciplines throughout the primary years. Children are encouraged to carry out scientific enquiries, make observations, explore and ask questions about the world and to develop an understanding of the present and future implications of science.
We have designed our curriculum to ensure that each year group has a balanced coverage of all science objectives and disciplines from the explorative stage in the Early Years, to the end of KS2.
Science is assessed by making informal judgements and observations during lessons and through questioning and discussion. Formative assessment is on-going throughout the year and teachers assess whether children are working at, above or below age related expectations. At UKS2, work is assessed using national exemplification documents to ensure consistency with national standards. There are currently no formal assessments for Science.
The following information provides an overview of the current curriculum coverage for each class and shows the progression of ‘working scientifically’.
EYFS
Science is taught integrally as part of ‘Understanding of the World’ in the EYFS curriculum. All learning is underpinned by the ‘Characteristics of Effective Learning’ which is enabled through a learning environment that promotes inquisitiveness about the world through play and discussion, observation, engaging in new experiences, asking questions, making predictions, testing ideas and noticing patterns.
By the end of the year, the children will have encountered many opportunities to fulfil the ELG’s as outlined below.
Year 1 Science Topics:
Animals including humans (the human body and our senses)
Seasonal Changes
Plants
Space
Animals including humans (describing and comparing animals)
plants
Everyday Materials
Year 2 Science Topics:
Everyday Materials
Living things and their habitats
Animals including humans (basic needs)
Animals including humans (offspring)
Plants
Animals including humans (exercise, nutrition and hygiene)
Working Scientifically in Year 1 and Year 2
During Year 1 and 2, children are taught to use the following practical scientific methods, processes and skills.
Asking and answering simple questions
Making close observations and using these and other ideas, to suggest answers to questions
Using simple equipment
Performing simple tests
Identifying and classifying
Gathering and recording data
Year 3 Science Topics:
Animals including humans
Forces and Magnets
Rocks and Soils
Light
Plants
Animals including humans (exercise, nutrition and hygiene)
Working Scientifically in Year 3
Asking relevant questions and using different types of scientific enquiry to answer them
Setting up simple practical enquiries involving comparative and fair tests
Making careful observations
Using different equipment, such as thermometers and data loggers, and taking accurate measurements.
Gathering, recording, classifying and presenting data in different ways
Using scientific language, drawings and labelled diagrams and recording findings using keys, bar charts and tables
Reporting on investigations both orally and in written format, making displays or presentations of results
Drawing conclusions using results and making predictions and suggesting improvements
Identifying differences, similarities and changes related to simple scientific ideas and processes
Using simple evidence to answer questions and support their findings
Class 4 (Year 4/5) Science Topics:
Living Things and their Habitats
States of Matter
Animals including humans
Electricity
Sound
Properties of Materials
Working Scientifically in Class 4
Asking relevant questions and using different types of scientific enquiry to answer them
Setting up simple practical enquiries involving comparative and fair tests
Making careful observations
Using different equipment, such as thermometers and data loggers, and taking accurate measurements.
Gathering, recording, classifying and presenting data in different ways
Using scientific language, drawings and labelled diagrams and recording findings using keys, bar charts and tables
Reporting on investigations both orally and in written format, making displays or presentations of results
Drawing conclusions using results and making predictions and suggesting improvements
Identifying differences, similarities and changes related to simple scientific ideas and processes
Using simple evidence to answer questions and support their findings
Class 5 (Year 5/6) Science Topics:
Light
Animals Including humans (the circulatory system)
Electricity
Forces
Living things and their habitats
Earth and Space
Evolution and Inheritance
Working Scientifically in Class 5
During years 5 and 6, children are taught to use the following practical scientific methods, processes and skills through the teaching of the programme of study content:
planning different types of scientific enquiries to answer questions, including recognising and controlling variables where necessary
taking measurements, using a range of scientific equipment, with increasing accuracy and precision, taking repeat readings when appropriate
recording data and results of increasing complexity using scientific diagrams and labels, classification keys, tables, scatter graphs, bar and line graphs
using test results to make predictions to set up further comparative and fair tests reporting and presenting findings from enquiries, including conclusions, causal relationships and explanations of and degree of trust in results, in oral and written forms such as displays and other presentations identifying scientific evidence that has been used to support or refute ideas or arguments.