Kingsley Science Intent, Implementation and Impact

Curriculum Intent

At Kingsley, our science curriculum, along with creative planning and delivery, aims to promote a curiosity, a love and a desire for learning from Early Years through to Upper Key Stage Two. Kingsley science empowers our children to become independent and resilient – key skills we promote across all subjects.

Learning occurs at every opportunity at Kingsley. We plant the seeds of curiosity and exploration in our Early Years setting. We encourage trial and error throughout their time at Kingsley. We explore new concepts whilst applying them to knowledge already learnt and always find ways to provide enjoyment to their learning.

We want to equip our children with not only their science knowledge but to prepare them for their possible future opportunities within life, the responsibilities and commitment required to succeed and basic life skills needed to be successful in their future. We are fortunate to have our very own Forest School where all year groups visit, learn through play and complete tasks set. Through investigations, and linking up well with D.T., children spend time outdoors, they work collaboratively with a group and independently and apply their learning to the great outdoors.

At Kingsley, we endeavour to make our pupils' time at school memorable, with unforgettable experiences and are keen to provide a wide and enriching plethora of opportunities for everyone. We do this through our themed Science Weeks, welcoming educational visits out of school to the zoo, to museums, local businesses and parks. As well as inviting experiences into school through workshops, drama classes, science workshops, D.T. specialists. We also work alongside local and national initiatives to instil a sense of pride and responsibility in our young children but to also provide opportunities to explore science (and other subjects) in different ways.

We firmly believe that science and our learning does not just happen in the classroom, it is a holistic approach. We believe that with the right amount of time, patience and access to opportunities, we can pave a way to inspire our children and prepare them for their next steps.

Curriculum Implementation

Science at Kingsley has been carefully planned to fit with other subjects to promote cross-curricular learning opportunities. Our science cover sheets revisit previous learning from year groups and highlights future learning to ensure Kingsley staff know where learning started and where learning will go.

In EYFS, children are encouraged to interact and play with water as part of Understanding the World. In KS1, the children discover ‘Everyday Materials’ and explore which material would make the best raincoat. In lower KS2, Year 4 explore ‘States of Matter’ and learn how water can change state and in upper KS2, Year 5, the children face ‘Materials – Properties and Changes’ and demonstrate dissolving, mixing and look at which changes of state are reversible changes.

At Kingsley, we believe that ALL children are scientists and ALL children have natural curiosity which needs exploring and encouraging.

The science curriculum is divided into two official strands: knowledge and working scientifically. At Kingsley, we also believe in a third strand: vocabulary. Vocabulary plays a vital role and feeds into all subjects. As a school with over 30 different languages, we are constantly learning, applying, reapplying and revisiting words to support our children in all subjects. Through the use of widgets, talking partners and oracy skills, staff demonstrate the words, their meaning and display them in the classroom to constantly encourage our children to practise using the words and understanding their meaning.

Alongside knowledge and vocabulary, we also address subject-specific characteristics – working scientifically skills. During lessons, children are provided opportunities to demonstrate these skills, develop the skills and then revisit across every year group. 

Working Scientifically Skills:

EYFS:

• Having their own ideas, making links with their learning, choosing ways to do things, being involved and concentrating, keep trying, enjoying achieving what they set out to do, exploring and always being willing to ‘have a go’

KS1 and KS2

• The ability to think independently and raise questions about working scientifically.
• Confidence and competence in the full range of practical skills, planning and carrying out scientific investigations.
• Excellent scientific knowledge and understanding is demonstrated in written and verbal explanations, solving challenging problems and reporting scientific findings.
• The ability to undertake practical work in a variety of contexts, including fieldwork.
• To generate intrigue for science and its application to past, present and future technologies.

Curriculum Impact

We use summative assessment sheets at the end of each topic; however, formative assessment occurs during lessons for quick, useful feedback to the teacher. Cover sheets highlight curriculum targets, working scientifically skills and allow the teacher immediate feedback from a lesson. 

The next step for science, is to implement starter tasks to science lessons. These can range from a photograph, vocabulary or even an open question. Staff will be encouraged to revisit the last lesson of learning to continue merging old and new learning. This approach aims to support children to link their learning and remember.