Science Curriculum Overview
- At Millbrook, we follow the current National Curriculum and plan it independently.
- The progression of skills within Science is vital because, along with subject content like phases of the moon, electrical circuits and magnetism, there are many skills to develop and build upon. These skills start with our Foundation Stage (Caterpillars, Ladybirds and Bumblebees) and go all the way to Year 6.
- By the time children leave Year 6, they will have covered all of the subject content and skills, such as making systematic observations; taking measurements; gathering, recording, communicating and presenting findings or generating predictions and conclusions.
- Science is taught weekly as a discrete lesson, across the school as it is a core subject and also due to the huge impact it has on daily life and the need to understand the world around us.
- At Millbrook, within Years 1-6, we link our Science programme of study to our topics, where practical, because it enhances children’s learning, or we may link Science to specific English topics or seasonality. Otherwise, Science is taught discretely.
- When appropriate, Science is linked to English, Maths or Computing lessons to enable cross-curricular learning, which supports a broad and balanced curriculum.
- Throughout the year, Millbrook also runs themed days and whole school activities around Science, and every month purely fun Science activities are available to add a wow factor!
- Within the Foundation Stage, Science is integrated and taught across the year through the continuous and enhanced provision. When appropriate, Science is linked to the learning theme and explicitly taught as a whole class session. The children talk daily about the weather and seasons and how they change over the year. The children actively engage with a variety of science equipment and materials independently but the adults support their curiosity and encourage inquisitive minds by modelling ‘I wonder’ statements.
- Each term, children produce work weekly in their Science books. Further evidence of their learning and skills is also shown on display boards in classrooms and around the school.
- Recapping previous learning is fundamental to progress and understanding. Each new topic starts by refreshing children’s knowledge of their learning from previous years, and as they develop in a topic, recapping previous learning to embed their current knowledge and skills.
- Regular marking is provided by teacher (and sometimes peers) with feedback given regarding the next steps in their development.
- Assessments are also used to support children to understand how much they have learned and areas where they may find tricky.
- Science should provide a secure understanding of scientific knowledge and concepts, along with necessary skills, such as observing, recording and presenting findings.
- Children should learn to apply these concepts in context by linking it to real life situations and understanding why they are relevant to them.
- They learn to apply technical vocabulary, which progresses and builds as the children grow and supports their existing knowledge from other subjects, for example Maths where they may collect, analyse and present data.
- Practical investigations are vital to exciting Science lessons and exploring ideas deeply and meaningfully. It further helps children retain the knowledge and skills gained in fun and memorable Science lessons.
- Children enjoy the practical and investigative aspects of Science supported by necessary but focused recording.
- Characteristics of learning – being inquisitive, working in a practical and methodical way, observing and listening carefully, team work, gaining an insight into the world they live in and accurate use of vocabulary.
- Children are able to demonstrate a variety of skills during experiments and investigations, along with termly assessments.