Science

At Walsh Memorial CE Infant School, we have created a vision for the teaching of Science at our school.

Intent

At Walsh Memorial CE Infant School, we teach Science so the children learn to foster a curiosity for exploration of the world. We strive for the children to develop their ideas and ways of working that will enable them to make sense of the world in which they live through questioning, discussion and practical investigation. We develop pupils’ enjoyment and interest in Science, enabling them to build on their enthusiasm and to not just accept but to challenge what they see and hear.  We encourage children to ask questions about what they notice and show persistence and resilience when exploring answers to these questions. We teach the children to treat the living and non-living environment with respect and sensitivity.

Implementation

At Walsh Memorial CE Infant School, Science is taught following the aims and content of the Development Matters in the Early Years Foundation Stage guidance and the National Curriculum Science programmes of study: Key Stage 1. It is taught through cross-curricular topics in EYFS and discrete Science units in KS1. Our Science teaching provides children with first-hand experiences and opportunities to work scientifically, both teacher guided and child-centred, in order to develop their scientific ideas and understanding. The children are encouraged to be curious and ask questions about what they notice. They are helped to develop their understanding of scientific ideas by using different types of scientific enquiry to answer their own questions, including observing changes over a period of time, noticing patterns, grouping and classifying things, carrying out simple comparative tests, and finding things out, using for example, books, websites, photographs and videos. We encourage our children to use specific scientific vocabulary to talk about what they have found out and communicate and record their ideas and findings in a variety of ways.

We use both our indoor and outdoor environment to support the teaching and learning of Science. Where possible, lessons are taught through the use of first-hand practical experiences using our school grounds and also through educational visits. We also invite visitors such as the petting farm to enhance the classroom learning.

Impact

Our children will develop a real sense of awe and wonder about the world they live in. They will have a good understanding of key scientific concepts and investigative skills, will be effective enquirers keen to explore their ideas and reach conclusions through persistence and resilience. They will be able to communicate their ideas and thinking effectively using scientific vocabulary.