Science

Pocklington  Church of England VC Infant School, our Science curriculum provides all children with a broad, balanced, engaging and practical Science programme of study, which prepares them for life beyond primary education. Science, in our school, is about developing children’s ideas and ways of working that enable them to make sense of the world in which they live. We teach children the knowledge and skills they need to be successful learners and in wider life. Staff ensure that all children are exposed to high quality teaching of biology, chemistry and physics and practical, hands-on learning experiences, allowing children, where possible, to explore their outdoor environment, community and locality, therefore developing their scientific enquiry and investigative skills. They are immersed in scientific vocabulary, which aids children’s knowledge and understanding not only of the topic they are studying, but of the world around them. Our teaching sequence allows children to cumulatively build knowledge and skills and meet the end of phase attainment targets in the EYFS Framework and the National curriculum.

Our science teaching is underpinned by our vision for happy children loving learning. Lessons are structured around reflective learning and questioning opportunities for all pupils building on their prior knowledge and providing cross-curricular links, in an environment that encourages pupils to pose their own questions to develop their ideas and independence. Through shared experiences we nurture and apply pupils’ science learning to real-life experiences, making science meaningful. Hands-on, practical experiences of working with a range of scientific methods to explore, inspire and foster pupils’ natural curiosity, and most importantly make learning fun.  We deliver a creative, inclusive and stimulating science curriculum, enabling pupils to secure and extend their scientific knowledge and vocabulary. 

The medium-term planning and progression mapping of science lessons will reflect exactly what content, knowledge and skills are critical for pupils to progress through the curriculum in each year. There is a clearly mapped progression document that shows how these topics progress across the years including EYFS. KS1 teachers plan using White Rose Science scheme for each science topic. Working scientifically processes and methods are embedded in lessons so that children learn to use a variety of skills to answer scientific questions / investigations. These are: asking questions, planning, making observations, taking measurements, gathering, recording and classifying data, presenting findings and making conclusions. Children learn in a variety of ways, and so where appropriate, children will learn science outside the classroom. We make use of our outdoor areas as well as classroom spaces, so that children can clearly see things in context which promotes and fosters an emotional connection between children and the natural environment. The outdoors also facilitates creative activities such as drawing and sketching, basic skills in science that we should encourage. We mark special days such as World Science Week.

Teacher expectations challenge pupils and ensure progression throughout the school, whilst being underpinned by CPD contained in White Rose Science scheme and collaborative training in school.

The art and science of asking questions is the source of all knowledge.” – Thomas Berger

Nothing has such power to broaden the mind as the ability to investigate systematically and truly all that comes under thy observation in life.” – Marcus Aurelius 

At Pocklington  Church of England VC Infant School, in the Early Years Foundation Stage Science is taught through the lens of ‘ Understanding the World’. The children have regular opportunities to engage with Science, enabling them to investigate and explore their environment using a range of equipment. 

In KS1, Lessons are structured around reflective learning and questioning opportunities for all pupils building on their prior knowledge and providing cross-curricular links, in an environment that encourages pupils to pose their own questions to develop their ideas and independence. Through shared experiences we nurture and apply pupils’ science learning to real-life experiences, making science meaningful. Hands-on, practical experiences of working with a range of scientific methods to explore, inspire and foster pupils’ natural curiosity, and most importantly make learning fun.  We deliver a creative, inclusive and stimulating science curriculum, enabling pupils to secure and extend their scientific knowledge and vocabulary. 

The medium-term planning and progression mapping of science lessons will reflect exactly what content, knowledge and skills are critical for pupils to progress through the curriculum in each year. There is a clearly mapped progression document that shows how these topics progress across the years including EYFS. KS1 teachers plan using White Rose Science scheme for each science topic. Working scientifically processes and methods are embedded in lessons so that children learn to use a variety of skills to answer scientific questions / investigations. These are: asking questions, planning, making observations, taking measurements, gathering, recording and classifying data, presenting findings and making conclusions. Children learn in a variety of ways, and so where appropriate, children will learn science outside the classroom. We make use of our outdoor areas as well as classroom spaces, so that children can clearly see things in context which promotes and fosters an emotional connection between children and the natural environment. The outdoors also facilitates creative activities such as drawing and sketching, basic skills in science that we should encourage. We mark special days such as World Science Week.

Teacher expectations challenge pupils and ensure progression throughout the school, whilst being underpinned by CPD contained in White Rose Science scheme and collaborative training in school.

Key Documents