Science Curriculum

Welcome to our curriculum page for Science. On this page you will find a wide range of information as to how we teach Science at Templemoor.  

Mrs Leigh - Science Lead

Our Science Lead is Mrs Leigh. If you would like to discuss our Science curriculum further, please do not hesitate to contact us.

SCIENCE AND OUR TEMPLEMOOR VALUES

Science promotes our whole school values:

Caring – At Templemoor, we encourage children to use their natural curiosity to ask questions and to investigate how and why things happen. Investigating animal habitats for example enables children to think about how caring for our environment can directly affect not only ourselves, but a much wider world ready to explore. 

Achieving – Our Science curriculum is ambitious and aims to give children detailed and connected Scientific knowledge and skills. Children love to ask questions, predict, test, adapt and explain, giving them vital skills to achieve in the future. 

Making a Difference – Science helps to prepare children for the developing world. Through the programmes of scientific study, children combine acquisition of disciplinary knowledge (working scientifically) with that of substantive knowledge (scientific knowledge) helping them to gain crucial skills for their own life and the lives of others around them. 

Together – Science encourages children to become innovative problem solvers, both as individuals and as part of a team. Many aspects of Science learning are done with a partner or via group work, giving children essential communication and teamwork skills. 

SCIENCE AT TEMPLEMOOR EYFS AND KS1 LONG TERM CURRICULUM PLAN 

"The important thing is to never stop questioning" - Albert Einstein

SCIENCE IN THE EARLY YEARS

In Early Years, Science is primarily taught through through the Development Matters area ‘Understanding the World,’ however prerequisite skills for scientific enquiry are entwined with the areas of Communication and Language and Personal, Social and Emotional Development.  Science investigation is developed through continuous provision and is primarily accessible in the Investigation areas of the EYFS classrooms. Children are actively encouraged to follow their own lines of enquiry and to use resources from around the EYFS unit. Floor books are used to show evidence.

In the Early Years Foundation Stage, children’s natural curiosity is welcomed and developed and the early foundations of scientific enquiry are laid. In continuous provision with the addition of tailored enhancements, often fuelled by children’s interests, children are encouraged to follow their own lines of enquiry. Staff will observe children’s learning and guide and direct focus if/where necessary, introducing new vocabulary, gently suggesting new directions to pursue and encouraging simple forms of recording what they find. 

 

EYFS DEVELOPMENT MATTERS AND EARLY LEARNING GOALS FOR SCIENCE
SCIENCE IN YEAR 1 AND YEAR 2

At Key Stage One, the Science curriculum is taught mainly using the National Curriculum, with support from the White Rose Science Scheme. Children are helped to develop their understanding of scientific ideas by using different types of enquiry to answer questions, including observing changes over a period of time, noticing patterns, grouping and classifying, carrying out simple comparative tests and using secondary sources of information to find things out. Children begin to use simple scientific language to talk about what they have found out and develop increasingly detailed ways of recording their findings e.g. tables and simple charts and graphs. Key scientific knowledge will always be taught through the application of working scientifically. Most learning takes place through first-hand practical experiences and is evidenced with photo/video alongside evidence in books.

In Key Stage One, teachers build further on the knowledge and skills gained in simple scientific enquiry during the early years. Science is taught weekly as a discrete subject but the skills developed reach into other areas of learning including Maths, English and Computing.  Science teaching is topic based, using the National Curriculum with the White Rose Science scheme of work to support. This ensures high quality, well planned and engaging learning sequences which are designed to demonstrate progression in skills, knowledge and vocabulary. Sessions throughout Key Stage One are delivered using a combination of visual, verbal and practical teaching. Prior learning is vital for skill progression and as children move through school, their knowledge of how to plan an investigation, how to carry out an enquiry, how to record their findings and how to use their new found knowledge develops with increasing levels of detail. Children will use key vocabulary in discussions as well as develop and refine their practical skills. 

THE NATIONAL CURRICULUM FOR SCIENCE - YEAR 1 AND YEAR 2
 
 

"I am among those who think that science has great beauty." - Marie Curie

SCIENCE SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND VOCABULARY PROGRESSION DOCUMENT
SCIENCE OUTCOMES
USEFUL SCIENCE WEBSITES FOR PARENTS/CARERS