Intent

We teach Science to ignite curiosity and foster a love for the natural world. By the end of each key stage, we aim for our pupils to understand fundamental concepts and develop practical skills. Our vision is to create inquisitive learners who think critically and creatively, cultivating cultural awareness through scientific exploration. Our curriculum aligns with national expectations, ensuring rigorous content that promotes inquiry and problem-solving. We prioritise whole-child development, nurturing skills that extend beyond the classroom. Our approach is inclusive, providing tailored support for all learners, including those with special educational needs and disadvantaged backgrounds, ensuring that everyone can thrive in their scientific journey.

 

Implementation

At Westfield, we use the Oak National Scheme of Work to guide our Science lessons from Years 1–6, ensuring a structured progression throughout. Science is taught for 1 hour a week in KS1 and 2 hours a week in KS2 (this is broken into two lessons of one hour). Our long-term plan highlights key concepts and skills suitable for each year group. Each topic is supplemented with knowledge organisers and medium-term plans for clarity. We utilise diverse teaching methods, such as inquiry-based learning and collaborative activities, tailored to address the needs of all learners. Special enrichment activities, including Science Week activities and school trips, further enhance student engagement. We regularly use summative assessments to monitor progress, ensuring that knowledge builds systematically over time.

 

Impact

Pupils develop a solid understanding of key concepts, such as ecosystems and forces, ensuring they grasp essential knowledge and skills. Our assessments highlight significant individual progress; for instance, a Year 6 student recently shared, “I never liked Science, but now it’s my favourite subject!”

Their enthusiasm shines in their work, with projects showcasing creative experiments and insightful observations. Pupil feedback consistently reflects their enjoyment and eagerness to learn more. This supportive learning environment equips our students with the critical thinking and problem-solving skills they need for secondary education, setting them up for success in their future studies.

 

Our Science Subject leader is Miss Taylor who oversees the curriculum and ensures staff training.

This is Miss Taylor’s first experience of leading Science, but she is really enjoying having this opportunity.

Over the past year we have worked closely with HfL to ensure that our Science curriculum meets the needs of our children and because of these meetings we are now using Oak National to guide our learning.

 

Information for parents

Further Reading for Parents An overview of the Science Curriculum https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/for-home/school-year/subjectguides/science-at-primary-school/

Links for Children and Parents KS1 Science guides and clips https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z6svr82

KS2 Science guides and clips https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z2pfb9q

National Geographic for kids https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/category/discover/

Nasa kids https://www.nasa.gov/kidsclub/index.html

Games and Apps

The children’s university of Manchester http://www.childrensuniversity.manchester.ac.uk/learningactivities/science/

The Science Museum https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/games-and-apps

 

Ideas for Investigations – ask an adult’s permission or for guidance!

Science Sparks investigations https://www.science-sparks.com/science-experiments-for-kids/

More fun investigations https://sciencebob.com/category/experiments/

• Whole School Science Curriculum Map (194.24KB)