Science at Ben Rhydding
Intent
Science at Ben Rhydding Primary is used as vehicle to ask questions about the world around us and through doing this, develop a better understanding. Our intention is that children can draw on their prior knowledge about the world them, ask, predicate and investigate questions before reaching their conclusions. We aim for children to learn about the sustainability of our planet and question how they can support this.
Implementation
Science is taught each week throughout school by class teachers covering all the key areas of the National Curriculum. Teachers build on the children’s prior knowledge by reflecting on what children know from previous year groups before building on this.
Teachers at Ben Rhydding aim for all children to have a good grasp of the key scientific concepts through teaching the knowledge, key facts and key vocabulary that children need and enhancing this through practical work. Working scientifically is a key way of developing the children’s understanding and engagement. Teachers plan ways of working scientifically through their units of work with a focus on asking questions and investigating these.
In each year group, short units of work teach the children about sustainability to develop their understanding of the growing demands on our planet. We do this to ensure that they have a greater understanding of the role each person plays in protecting and nurturing our planet
Science is enhanced through our grounds. The outdoor garden areas provide a wealth of opportunities for children to explore and investigate. We have bug hotels, large planters and a pond. Our school field is also utilised by class teachers to support the teaching of Science. We have a successful gardening club that runs each week throughout the year.
Each year we run a Science House Day where children work in mixed year group teams. Children collaborate with each other and investigate a range of ideas based on a theme.
Impact
We aim for all children to be able ask and investigate their questions. We want children to leave our school with scientific knowledge, an understanding of the world and how to be a responsible citizen that can care for the world around use. We wish for them to actively explore ideas, develop their understanding through investigations and be able to work alongside others. We hope the develop a love of Science that leads to career opportunities in the future.
Supporting SEND
Children with special educational needs are supported in Science through careful planning and resourcing. Children with communication and language barriers are supported through the explicit teaching of subject specific vocabulary, through the use of task cards to help when carrying out investigations and through careful consideration of pairings and groupings. Children may need equipment adapting for them or directing to them.
What pupils say…
What pupils think…
“We investigated senses by going outside with a clipboard. We tasted air.” Y1
“I like doing investigations like the egg investigation because it was fun.” Y2
“I love Science. It’s fun and practical. I like the investigations. When we learnt about the digestive system made teeth. We made the digestive system. We made a banana and jam sandwich and put it in a bag with water and vinegar. We had to squeeze it like in the stomach. Then we put it in a sock and squeezed it out!” Y4