Science

Intent

At Fairways Primary School, we recognise the importance of Science in every aspect of daily life. We aim to give children a strong understanding of the world around them, whilst acquiring specific skills and knowledge to help them to think scientifically, to gain an understanding of scientific processes and the implications for Science throughout their lives.

Our ambitious curriculum will encourage children to develop their natural curiosity and enable them to become enquiry based learners while establishing a respect for living organisms and the physical environment. This will ensure that they are well prepared for their future in an ever changing world. We are committed to providing a stimulating, engaging and challenging learning environment. Children at Fairways will develop and use a range of ‘working scientifically’ skills including researching, questioning and observing, which are all taught within each topic and regularly revisited. We aim for our children to be inquisitive, independent thinkers who can confidently articulate themselves with a broad scientific vocabulary.

Implementation

Science lessons are planned and taught in dedicated weekly lessons in line with the national curriculum, and supported by a clear skills and knowledge progression. Through our planning, we involve problem solving opportunities that allow children to find out for themselves. Children are encouraged to ask their own questions and be given opportunities to use their scientific skills and research to discover the answers. This curiosity is celebrated within the classroom and the school as a whole, in assemblies and as part of our half termly 'Learning Power' awards. Planning involves teachers creating engaging lessons, often involving high-quality resources to aid understanding of conceptual knowledge, with many opportunities to challenge and extend children. Working scientifically, skills are embedded into lessons to ensure these skills are being developed throughout the children’s school career and new vocabulary and challenging concepts are introduced through direct teaching. This is developed through the years, in-keeping with the topics. Teachers find opportunities to develop children’s understanding of their surroundings by accessing outdoor learning and using local resources.

Impact

The successful approach at Fairways Primary School results in a fun, engaging, high-quality science education, that provides children with the foundations for understanding the world. Children will therefore be expected to leave our care with a robust Science education and an understanding of how Science has changed our lives and its vitality to the world’s future prosperity. We want to empower our children so they understand they have the capability to protect and change our world and give them the skills needed to navigate an ever changing world of science and technology. By immersing our students with scientific enquiry skills, key scientific knowledge and investigative skills, we aim to create a culture of high scientific aspirations, which will allow our students a platform to develop their scientific learning and careers, and to articulate their understanding of key scientific concepts.