Science @ Kirkburton First
The Intent of Science at Kirkburton First School
“The important thing is to never stop questioning”
Albert Einstein
At Kirkburton First School we recognise the importance of Science in every aspect of daily life. We deliver a curriculum that evokes a natural curiosity, encourages a respect for living organisms and the physical environment and provides opportunities for critical evaluation of evidence.
We want our children to be confident and inquisitive pupils who apply their skills in a scientific way.
They should be able to ask and answer challenging questions and successfully carry out investigations.
A high-quality science education provides the foundations for understanding the world through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. Science has changed our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity, and all pupils should be taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science. Through building up a body of key foundational knowledge and concepts, pupils should be encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. They should be encouraged to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes.
The national curriculum for science aims to ensure that all pupils:
- 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.
The Implementation of Science at Kirkburton First School
Our children begin their science experience through ‘Understanding the World’ in Early Years Foundation Stage, with informal investigation within the setting. Teachers facilitate children’s curiosity with open ended questions and clearly thought out learning experiences which are both child led and adult led.
In KS1, children continue to build on their science knowledge with more formal weekly science lessons where they are taught to use the following practical scientific methods, processes and skills: asking simple questions and recognising that they can be answered in different ways; observing closely, using simple equipment; performing simple tests; identifying and classifying; using their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions and gathering and recording data to help in answering questions.
Moving in to KS2 children, are to use the following practical scientific methods, processes and skills: asking relevant questions and using different types of scientific enquiries to answer them; setting up simple practical enquiries, comparative and fair tests; making systematic and careful observations and, where appropriate, taking accurate measurements using standard units, using a range of equipment, including thermometers and data loggers; gathering, recording, classifying and presenting data in a variety of ways to help in answering questions; recording findings using simple scientific language, drawings, labelled diagrams, keys, bar charts, and tables to report on findings from enquiries, including oral and written explanations, displays or presentations of results and conclusions; using results to draw simple conclusions, make predictions for new values, suggest improvements and raise further questions; identifying differences, similarities or changes related to simple scientific ideas and processes and using straightforward scientific evidence to answer questions or to support their findings.
The Impact of Science at Kirkburton First School
This section is for posting high-quality photo examples of work from pupils, and quotes from children about the subject.
Please also reference the 5-minute starter work we do to help the children retain their knowledge and skills over time.