Science
Our Science Subject Leader is Mrs L Gibson.
Our Science Governor is Dr W Gill
We believe that children are scientific by nature. They have an inherent curiosity and, at Sedgefield Primary School, our intention when planning and delivering the science curriculum is to foster and develop this curiosity and fascination about the natural and manufactured world, whilst also helping them to fulfill their potential.
Our approach encourages active engagement in learning experiences through systematic investigations of the physical, chemical, and biological aspects of their lives. As a result of this engagement, children develop both knowledge and understanding in the area being explored, and at the same time, become increasingly competent in developing their own learning strategies so that they are equipped to answer scientific questions about the world around them. It is our intention that, through investigative science, pupils at Sedgefield Primary will deepen their respect and appreciation for the natural world, whilst also developing their understanding of the uses and implications of science, today and for the future.
Through high-quality science teaching, we help our pupils understand how major scientific ideas have played a vital role in our society. We intend to stimulate a child's curiosity in finding out why things happen in the way that they do and, moreover, we hope to prepare our pupils for life in an increasingly scientific and technological world. Children learn to ask scientific questions and begin to appreciate how science will affect the future on a personal, national, and global level.
To ensure high standards of teaching and learning in science, we implement a curriculum that is progressive throughout the school. We build upon the learning and skill development of previous years. Weekly science lessons, planned and arranged into blocks by the class teacher, enable the achievement of a greater depth of knowledge. Moreover, at the start of each topic, teachers take the time to find out what our children already understand and what they would like to know. This information is then used to adapt and extend the curriculum to match the children’s interests and needs to ensure their learning is engaging, broad and balanced.
Through our planning, scientific enquiry skills are embedded in each topic the children study and these skills are revisited and developed throughout their time at school. Key scientific language is modelled throughout lessons enabling our pupils to understand and use the vocabulary accurately. Our curriculum meets the 7 'Big Ideas' that underpin learning in Sedgefield Primary (Significance and Understanding, Change, Comparison, People and Community, The Natural World, Investigation/Questioning and Collaboration/Creativity/Resourcefulness. These 'big ideas' are revisited numerous times across different topics, allowing children to make links in their learning at the same time as developing subject specific knowledge, skills and understanding. Children are actively encouraged to question the world around them and become independent learners. Our use of the Building Learning Power model allows us to implement this. By fostering resilience, resourcefulness, reciprocity, and reflectiveness, we challenge children to ask, as well as answer their own scientific questions. Wherever possible, teachers find opportunities to develop children’s understanding of their surroundings by accessing outdoor learning and involvement in scientific activities.
Regular events, such as Science Week or STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) week, allow pupils to experience more ‘hands-on’ opportunities and encourages our children to become fascinated by the world we live in. From exploring key themes to demonstrating their favourite experiment, the pupils are given the opportunity to thrive within practical activities and engage in scientific activities that link home and school. They can enter competitions to win prizes and can share their successes and achievements during celebration assemblies. Additional opportunities are provided though carefully planned educational trips to enhance our children’s learning experiences, such as visits to The Life Centre and Teesmouth Field Centre. Through these trips and other interactions with experts, children learn that science has changed our lives and that it is vital to the world’s future prosperity. Children also learn about the possibilities for careers in science from links with family members and the community. For example, parents have delivered presentations about their occupations, and these have ranged from dentists to chemical engineers to fighter pilots. All these, together with Pupil Voice, where we gather pupils’ views and attitudes to science, support the children’s enjoyment of the subject.
Further valuable collaboration takes place between our school and Durham University. For several years now, we have hosted third year undergraduate students as part of the University’s ‘Science into School’ Programme. This has been overwhelmingly successful, as each year our school has been provided with knowledgeable and enthusiastic students who offer practical assistance in the classroom and help to engage the pupils in science, especially in their own area of expertise.
Sedgefield Primary approaches science teaching and learning in a way that fosters curiosity, fun and high-quality education. Within the subject, we have created a supportive and collaborative ethos by providing varied and first-hand experiences of the world around them. Frequent and progressive learning opportunities in real-life contexts ensure children can retain knowledge that is pertinent to science. Additionally, varied, and meaningful experiences allow our children to question ideas and reflect on the knowledge they learn. Therefore, when pupils leave Sedgefield in Year 6, they have the conceptual knowledge and understanding of processes and the ability to approach and answer problems in a scientific manner. The impact and measure of this is to ensure that our children not only meet the science age related expectations but that they also have the skills which equip them to progress through their science journey in school and within their everyday lives. Children at Sedgefield Primary enjoy science, and this results in motivated learners with a thirst for knowledge and understanding.
Please click below to access our Science Long Term Plan:
For more information about the Science curriculum, please contact Mrs Gibson via the school office 01740 620359, office@sedgefieldprimary.co.uk.
