In This Section
Science
At Bracken Leas Primary School we recognise the importance of Science in every aspect of daily life. As one of the core subjects taught in Primary Schools, we give the teaching and learning of Science the prominence it requires.
The Scientific area of learning is concerned with increasing pupils’ knowledge and understanding of our world and with developing skills associated with Science as a process of enquiry. It will develop the natural curiosity of the child, encourage respect for living organisms and the physical environment and provide opportunities for critical evaluation of evidence.
At Bracken Leas Primary School (BLPS), in conjunction with the aims of the National Curriculum, our
Science teaching offers opportunities for children to:
• 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 scientific enquiries that help them to answer questions about the
world around them;
• be equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and
implications of Science, today and for the future;
• develop the essential scientific enquiry skills to deepen their scientific knowledge;
• use a range of methods to communicate scientific information and present it in a
systematic, scientific manner, including I.C.T., diagrams, graphs and charts;
• develop a respect for the materials and equipment they handle with regard to their own
and other children’s safety;
• develop an enthusiasm and enjoyment of scientific learning and discovery.
The National Curriculum provides a structure and skill development for the Science Curriculum being taught throughout the school, ensuring that children develop secure understanding of each key block of knowledge and concepts in order to progress to the next stage. At BLPS, children are taught Science throughout Key Stage 1 and 2 using carefully constructed programmes of study and resources. In Early years, Science is incorporated in the opportunities provided for the children to learn about the world around them through play.
The BLPS Science Curriculum is enquiry based, with progressively challenging Working Scientifically objectives and questioning providing a framework for each area of study taught. Questions become increasingly complex – from asking simple questions, through asking relevant questions to learners planning their own enquiries to answer questions - as pupils progress through the school. Pupils are therefore encouraged to become more independent in their enquiries and how they present their
findings. Teachers are aware of what has been taught previously in each area of learning, common misconceptions and what will be taught in future years. They are therefore able to confidently employ regular information recall and retrieval practice to ensure skills and knowledge is fully
embedded. Increasingly complex technical vocabulary is employed as children re-visit areas of study through the school. Where appropriate, significant people are identified and their scientific achievements and discoveries are incorporated into teaching and learning.
We endeavour to ensure that the Science Curriculum will give children the confidence and motivation to continue to further develop their skills into the next stage of their education and life experiences. Creativity in our learners is inspired through high quality practical experiences, whether
that be opportunities for outdoor learning or through well-resourced experiments. Character is inspired in several ways: sparking curiosity with questions; promoting perseverance and resilience by allowing our learners to develop their own solutions to problems posed and independence is
developed as they find and present their own solutions. Community is promoted by encouraging a sense of identity, belonging and responsibility towards the local and global communities and the world in which they live.
The Science Curriculum at BLPS results in a fun, engaging, high-quality Science education, that provides children with the foundations for understanding the world.
