Intent
Science at Grade Ruan School, focuses on providing high-quality education based on understanding the world we live in. Science is a vital part of the world’s future and so it is essential all pupils are taught aspects of knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science. Through building up a foundational knowledge and understanding of core concepts, pupils will be encouraged to recognise links between learning and develop a sense of curiosity about our diverse planet and natural phenomena.
The aim of science is for the children to: acquire knowledge and understanding of the world we live in, to ‘think like a scientist’ and what this looks like and be able to be hands on, engaging in purposeful challenges and investigations whilst instilling our school's Christian values and vision.- 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
- are equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future.
Implementation
- The curriculum is overseen by a science co-ordinator, who works alongside the teaching staff to monitor, evaluate and review science teaching and learning across the school, as well as share and celebrate good practice.
- We use the National Curriculum objectives as outlined by the government and adapt these to suit our spiral curriculum which is centred around the core scientific concepts, agreed by the SPCMAT Science leads.
- We adapt the learning to suit our mixed age class structure and individual needs and integrate the learning into our topic focus each term.
- The teaching, learning and sequencing of science will follow the long-term curriculum map to ensure coverage and progression, but will also incorporates a whole school focus once a year for example during British Science Week.
- Where possible, science lessons make links to other subjects such as Geography, English and Maths.
- Each class teacher uses their expertise and experience and knowledge of their pupils to plan the progression of lessons based on the concept focus for the term, the intended skills as well as focusing on the knowledge base.
- The working scientifically aspect is incorporated into each unit of work dependent on the programme of study.
Impact
By the end of Year 6, every pupil at Grade Ruan School will have had the opportunity to engage in and lead a range of scientific experiments and investigations to broaden and deepen their knowledge of science, as well as start to ‘think like a scientist’. They will become more resilient and independent learners as they plan, do and review an experiment on their own or as part of a group, and apply their prior knowledge to make connections between the learning of scientific concepts which focus on the world we live in. The garden and local area will be utilised regularly throughout science lessons to support learning. Finally, pupils will have an awareness of the scientific career opportunities and pathways available to them, and will leave the school with the science skills, knowledge and conceptual understanding they need to transition in to Key Stage Three.
Enrichment
Throughout the school year we utilise opportunities to extend pupils’ knowledge and understanding through visitors, school trips and science shows such as learning about the Solar system inside an inflatable dome, which visited school last year. Pupils learned about the Earth, Moon and Sun – the importance of these and how these change throughout the day - as well as learning about gravity, stars and the concept of infinite space.
We plant and grow our own vegetables and pupils have visited a local garden in Ruan Minor to work with trained horticulturalists to learn about plant reproduction. We have a strong link with Rosuick Organic Farm on the Lizard and enjoy regular visits throughout the farming year to learn about plant and animal lifecycles, habitats, ecosystems and the changing seasons.
We have taken part in a careers project led by NHS Education England to promote careers in the Allied Health Profession. Pupils learn about various careers requiring scientific qualifications such as radiography, podiatry, dieticians, osteopaths, physiotherapists, operating room practitioners, art and drama therapists.
