Science

Our subject lead for Science is Mrs Matthews.

Intent

At Marden Vale, we value science as a core subject, which stimulates awe, and wonder in our everyday lives. We believe science can have a transformative effect on children, helping them to become curious and inspired by the world around them. We believe that a high-quality science education should engage, stimulate and challenge pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to better understand their life and their planet.  We encourage children to learn from, be inspired by the work of great scientists, and understand the contribution science has made to society, both past and present. As pupils progress, we support them to be able to pose increasingly complex scientific questions and carry out experiments to work accurately and analytically.

Implementation

At Marden Vale, science is taught weekly. Teachers plan sequences of lessons across the unit that will build on and develop the children’s knowledge and skills. Each unit of learning has a strong foundation in new knowledge – linked to prior knowledge – that will support the children to understand increasingly complex scientific phenomena and processes. Scientific vocabulary is mapped and taught rigorously to ensure that children can both recognise, understand and use scientific terminology accurately and confidently. Opportunities to learn outdoors and explore our natural environment are embedded throughout our science curriculum.

Carefully selected skills are planned to best match each unit of knowledge and progress year on year. Opportunities to practise and embed skills are planned for so that they are revisited and refined over time. The knowledge and skills that children will develop throughout each science topic are mapped across each year group and across the school to ensure progression.

Impact

At Marden Vale C of E Academy, you see the following:

• Children building on previously learned language and using it to help with their understanding of new concepts and vocabulary.
• The school’s science progression document being followed to ensure children are building on previously learnt knowledge.
• Teachers assessing children through questioning during lessons.
• Exit quizzes being used to assess children’s end of unit knowledge which then informs teachers’ assessment.
• Children discussing and sharing their views on and about science and the impact it has on them and the world around them.
• Children working collaboratively and practically to investigate the world around them