Intent

At Foresters, our science teaching aims to give children an understanding of the world around them through gaining disciplinary knowledge (specific skills) and substantial knowledge (knowledge of scientific concepts and vocabulary) to help them work and think scientifically. They will acquire an understanding of key processes, the uses of science and its implications in both today's world and in the future.

Through the use of the Cornerstones curriculum, we at Foresters are able to embed skills of scientific inquiry into each topic, and revisit and develop these throughout the children's time at school. Ideas, such as “Living a Healthy Lifestyle”, are taught building on top of the children’s prior knowledge. This spiral model helps to increase enthusiasm for the topics whilst also embedding knowledge into the long-term memory of each child.

All children are encouraged to develop and use a range of scientific skills including observation, planning and investigation, and are encouraged to ask questions about the world around them. They are also encouraged to become independent learners by exploring possible answers to their scientific questions through research or investigation.

Scientific vocabulary is taught, some specific to certain topics. This is built up and, through effective questioning, children are encouraged to communicate their ideas. We reinforce key concepts by focussing on the features of scientific enquiry, ensuring that pupils understand a variety of approaches to answer relevant scientific questions.

Implementation

• Use of a clearly planned scheme of work which is in line with the National Curriculum. The teaching and learning of this will then show progression across each key stage with science.

• Children have access to key language and meanings in order to understand and readily apply to their written, scientific and verbal communication of their skills.

• Children will use a range of resources, including online resources, to develop their knowledge and understanding that is integral to their learning and development to understanding how to work scientifically.

• Children will reflect on previous learning at the start of each topic and cross curricular links will be made wherever possible. At the end of each topic, the children reflect on the learning they have made.

• Children will be able to build on prior knowledge and link ideas together, enabling them to question and become enquiry-based learners.

• Attainment will be assessed regularly each half term through Cornerstones’ online assessment system, which ensures gaps are identified and filled from previous years, or lessons.

• Where applicable, links to science will be made to develop the children’s topical learning.

Impact

Foresters’ Science Curriculum is high quality, well thought out and is planned by an expert team at Cornerstones in order to demonstrate a coherent, logical progression of substantial knowledge, including mapping out disciplinary knowledge. If children are keeping up with the curriculum, they will be deemed to be making good or better progress. In addition, we measure the impact of our curriculum through the following methods:

• Pupil discussions about their learning.

• A reflection on standards achieved against the planned outcomes (KPIs);

• A wider variety of skills linked to both scientific knowledge and understanding, and scientific enquiry/investigative skills (Working Scientifically, also referred to as disciplinary knowledge).

• A richer vocabulary which will enable them to articulate their understanding of taught concepts.

• High aspirations, which will see them through to further study, work and a successful adult life.