Along with English and Maths, Science remains one of the main core subjects in primary school. It can be one of the most exciting and practical subjects and, as a result, is a real joy for teachers and pupils! Here at Oughterside Foundation School we aim to foster our pupils curiosity and give them the opportunity to explore their own ideas.

Intent

Through teaching Science, we aim to provide our pupils with the foundations to understand the world around them.

At Oughterside, Science is about enabling our pupils to experience and observe phenomena in the natural and man-made world.  They are encouraged to be curious, ask questions about what they observe and should be helped to understand scientific ideas by using different types of enquiry to answer their own questions.

Implementation

Early Years Foundation Stage :

Exploration is vital to learning Science and in the EYFS at Oughterside Science should be a practical experience.

EYFS Assessment and evidence gathering:

The Specific Area of Understanding the World in the Early Years Foundation Stage contains the Science objectives which should be covered.  Pupils should be learning scientific knowledge and vocabulary and ‘working scientifically’ appropriate to their developmental age.  Evidence will be kept in several places:  Tapestry, displays and work books.

Year One to Year 6 Science Curriculum:

Year One – Year 6  follow the National Curriculum. Our planning is developed with "Curriculum with Unity Schools Partnership"

All years should plan six practical investigations per year (one per half term) in which children build on practical skills.

Evidence of work will be in children’s Science books.  Specific evidence of working toward, expected and greater depth should also be stored within our tracking on Scholar Pack.

Impact

All year groups have a Pre/Post Knowledge questions which correspond to the units taught.  These tests should be used at the beginning and end of a unit of work to show progress.  Knowledge notes and organisers are used as a visual aid for learners and as a way of highlighting and reinforcing the key vocabulary required in Science.

Scholar Pack records skill progression in each year group.

Achieving Greater Depth in Science:

Children are given the opportunity to show their knowledge and skills at this level each half term.  The children are given materials and some criteria but then are allowed to work independently.  Teachers should look for scientific skills and language being used at a level greater than expected.  Feedback and next steps can be given.

PSQM

This academic year (2023-2024) we have decided to work on achieving our Primary Science Quality Mark. This is a year long program that focuses on developing effective, confident science leadership for whole school impact on science teaching and learning.

As Science lead, Miss Warwick will be working with other staff, all of our pupils, parents and governors to continue to develop the teaching and learning of the science curriculum at Oughterside School. 

Watch out for updates regarding our official PSQM launch is January 2024!

YGA World Science Movement

In January Miss Warwick secured a place on the YGA role model teachers program. The program aims to connect with current science leaders and give schools the tools to teach about sustainability through their STEM lessons. They are a group that links companies all over the world.
 

After attending training, we received Science STEM kits that enabled us to teach the sustainability goals while also teaching children skills in Science, Technology and Maths. Look out for lessons linked to the sustainability goals on your child’s class page.

 

Our  KS2 pupils have access to the TWIN platform at home to help them to ignite their love of STEM through videos and games.

British Science Week

8th - 17th  March  2024 

This year the theme for British Science Week is Time. During this week classes will be taking part in a little science everyday. Look out for any experiment sheets being sent home. We welcome any posts to seesaw showing what you get up to at home!

Below you will find a link to a booklet created by the British Science Association especially for families. Please take a look and have some fun at home!

We will also be sending home tally sheets so we can take part in 'The Big Plastic Count'. This links to the theme as it helps us to consider how the choices we make today impact on our future! 

We will be asking for all sheets to be returned to school by Monday 18th March so we can collate data and analyse our class carbon footprint, as well as consider how we can improve this as individuals and as a school!

Smashing Stereotypes!

At Oughterside School we strive to smash the stereotypes that surround science! We want to move away from our pupils seeing a scientist as a man in a lab coat and to recognise the science we engage with everyday. We want our pupils to value to impact they can make to science and how their questions help to shape their own future. 

We also want our pupils to recognise that we can overcome any barriers we may face. 

Below are some fantastic videos which highlight how jobs involving science link to our own interests. You will find that some of the people in the videos have also had challenges that they have overcome to enable them to participate in a job they enjoy!

Here are some photographs to showcase some of the learning in Science across school this year.

Oughterside Foundation School Science and Understanding the World Policy

This Policy has recently been updated to reflect updates and is under review.

Links to Guidance for Teaching Science - Department for Education