Science

Science

Intent

At Martello, we want our children to develop a sense of curiosity, understanding and wonder about the world around them. We want pupils to become curious and knowledgeable scientists who are able to ask questions, investigate the world around them and use evidence to explain what they observe.

Our Science curriculum is designed to develop both substantive knowledge – the essential scientific concepts and understanding pupils need to know – and disciplinary knowledge – understanding how scientific knowledge is developed through observation, enquiry, experimentation, classification, measurement, analysis and the use of evidence.

We follow a carefully sequenced curriculum which enables children to build on prior learning and make connections between scientific ideas. Key concepts are revisited over time so that knowledge becomes increasingly secure and can be remembered and applied in new contexts.

We aim for children to develop a strong scientific vocabulary and to be able to communicate their ideas clearly, using appropriate scientific language and evidence. Through carefully chosen practical and investigative experiences, children learn not simply to complete activities, but to use scientific knowledge to answer questions and deepen their understanding.

We want our children to understand the important role science plays in explaining the world around us and its uses and implications for the present and the future.

Implementation

Science is taught weekly through carefully sequenced units which develop the knowledge and skills identified in the National Curriculum.

Our curriculum follows a progressive model, with important scientific concepts and disciplinary knowledge revisited and built upon across the school.

Teachers use prior learning and retrieval activities to identify what children already know and to help them connect new learning to previously taught knowledge.

Lessons develop substantive and disciplinary knowledge together. Children learn important scientific concepts alongside the ways in which scientists develop and use knowledge.

Pupils have regular opportunities to work scientifically through asking questions, making predictions, observing, classifying, measuring, carrying out comparative and fair tests, recording and analysing data, drawing conclusions and evaluating evidence.

Practical activities are carefully selected to support the intended learning. Children are taught the scientific knowledge needed to understand an investigation rather than simply being expected to discover scientific explanations for themselves.

Teachers explicitly teach scientific vocabulary and provide opportunities for pupils to use new vocabulary when speaking, reading and writing about science.

Children are given opportunities to explain their thinking using scientific knowledge and evidence, including through discussion, diagrams, written explanations, tables and graphs.

Teachers identify and address common misconceptions, building pupils' understanding incrementally so that misconceptions do not become barriers to future learning.

Scientific knowledge is reinforced through meaningful opportunities to apply learning, including investigations, problem-solving, observation of the natural world and the use of secondary sources.

Enrichment opportunities, including Science Week, provide additional opportunities for children to develop their curiosity and see the relevance of science beyond the classroom.

Impact

The impact of our Science curriculum is seen in children who develop secure and increasingly connected scientific knowledge and who can remember and apply this knowledge in different contexts.

Pupils are able to:

• recall and explain important scientific concepts and vocabulary;

• make connections between their current learning and previously taught science;

• use scientific knowledge to explain observations and phenomena;

• ask and answer scientific questions;

• select and use appropriate methods, equipment and measurements;

• record, present and interpret scientific data;

• use evidence to draw conclusions and support their ideas;

• recognise and address misconceptions;

• communicate scientific ideas clearly using appropriate scientific vocabulary;

• demonstrate increasing independence and confidence when working scientifically.

Assessment is ongoing and formative. Teachers use questioning, observation, retrieval activities, low-stakes quizzes and pupils' scientific work to identify what children know, what they can do and what needs to be revisited.

Pupils regularly revisit important knowledge from previous units and year groups so that teachers can identify whether learning has been retained over time. Assessment information is used to inform teaching, address gaps and misconceptions, and ensure that essential knowledge is revisited where necessary.

By the end of their time at Martello, pupils will have developed a secure foundation of scientific knowledge and an understanding of how science works, enabling them to approach future scientific learning with curiosity, confidence and increasing independence.